PUPILS at Devizes School mounted a protest today after plans were announced to sell acres of its playing fields.

Hundreds of children refused to go to lessons and gathered on the grass instead in disagreement with the idea to put housing on the field.

The protest started at the beginning of the school day and carried on through the afternoon.

Year 11 pupil Gracie Greenwood, 15, said: "The fields are used by everyone really often, for football, athletics and other things.

"The plans would see back gardens bordering our netball court which would make a lot of people feel vulnerable. We all feel very uncomfortable about the situation.

"I hope the school will listen to our protest. We were there for so long."

Year 10 Charlie added: "About three quarters of the school were out on the field.

"We all care about the school so much. We use the fields a lot, we play football and socialise there.

"They were trying to tempt us in with films and Kahoot (quizzes)."

The school is holding a public meeting tonight to get feedback about the plans.

The Gazette has approached Devizes School headteacher Phil Bevan for a comment on this story.