KURDISH refugees took to the streets in Huddersfield to highlight the troubles facing Kurds in Syria.

Problems between Kurds and the ruling Ba'ath party regime in Syria hit national headlines after five people were killed in political riots following a football match.

However, Syrian Kurd refugees in Huddersfield felt the world was not paying enough attention to the problems in Syria.

About 40 Syrian, Iraqi and Iranian Kurds staged a peaceful march through Huddersfield town centre yesterday.

Alan Brooke, of Kirklees Refugees and Friends Together, said Kurds in Syria were being oppressed by the ruling regime.

"It is the same party which once ruled Iraq, the Ba'ath party. It is a police state," he said.

"There has hardly been any media coverage about this and the Kurds here wanted to expose what is going on to the public.

"The march was good-natured and vociferous. Even if only a few people were made aware of the situation, it was worth it."

The marchers set off from Belmont Street at lunchtime and paraded through the town centre to Market Place, where they staged a peaceful demonstration.

They also visited Huddersfield Town Hall and left a letter for Kirklees Mayor Clr Barbara Allonby.

A letter was also delivered to Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman, Colne Valley MP Kali Mountford and Batley and Spen MP Mike Wood.

The letters ask the recipients to urge the Government to pressurise the Syrian regime into improving human rights for Kurdish people.

Mr Brooke said: "The Kurds here were hoping that once the human rights were improved in Iraq, neighbouring states would improve too, but this has not yet happened.

"There are particular concerns that trouble will start on March 21, which is Kurdish new year, and they celebrate with bonfires in the streets.

People here are worried about family they have in Syria because of the spiralling violence."