Over 100 schoolchildren and parents took to the streets of Falmouth on Tuesday morning in protest at stressful exams.

The protest was part of a 'kids strike,' which saw parents across the country taking their children out of school on the same day as they were expected to sit their year two SATs exams.

Pupils from Marlborough, St Francis, and King Charles Schools in Falmouth were joined by those from Sithney, Mabe, Devoran, Constantine, Wendron, and Zelda School in Gweek, as they formed at Events Square before marching through town waving home-made banners and placards, and chanting.

The protest was organised by a group of parents, who did not wish to be identified. They said: "The SATs are too hard. We don't want our kids to become automatons, we want them to be recognised for the individuals that they are.

"Let the teachers teach them and assess them the best way they see fit. The government shouldn't tell teachers what to do.

"Having to define an adjective and a verb at that age is nuts. It shouldn't be about grammar and spelling it should be about the story the child has written.

"The mental health and wellbeing of children is a big issue, it's too stressful. All the other European countries don't start with school until they are seven."

Sophie, one of the children taking part, said: "When I was in school I didn't like to do all the writing. I just couldn't do anything. I really liked it, but it got too much."

One mother added that her son Reuben, 7, who is being tested for Aspergers, had told her that morning: "SATs are scary, they make my body tired. Everything feels so fast."

She said the test gave him "incredible anxiety" and was just "setting him up to fail," adding "it affectes the children with special needs."

The protesters were following the lead of a nationwide campaign, Let Our Kids Be Kids, which encouraged parents to take their children somewhere to experience outdoor learning, and following the march they headed for Kimberley Park for an afternoon craft session.