A DEMONSTRATION to highlight the reality of violence against women sparked mixed reactions from the public in Maidstone.

Eight students from the town's Invicta Grammar School took to the streets to support Amnesty International's Stop Violence Against Women Campaign.

They carried banners and posters and handed out information to the public and although they received some positive reactions, the protestors said they were also at the receiving end of some hostile comments.

The event was organised by the Maidstone Voluntary Service Unit, based at the Howard de Walden Youth Centre, Bluett Street, which has many members from Invicta Grammar School.

VSU staff member Karen Moss said: "When we walked through the town everyone was reading our posters and a few women thanked us for doing it because they had been abused.

"However quite a few men came up to us and had a go at the girls, pointing out that domestic violence also happens to men. Some people even asked us why we were bothering because it wouldn't make any difference."

The group plans to hold further demonstrations in the county town.