CAMPAIGNERS took to the streets of Bournemouth on Saturday to demand that no other child should suffer the same tragic fate as Baby P.

Festive preparations were set aside as mothers, grandmothers and children joined in Bournemouth to take part in a peaceful protest march, along with their counterparts across the country.

They came in mobility scooters, on crutches and in pushchairs, wearing blue as a sign of solidarity in their calls for “urgent far-reaching changes in child protection laws and social services departments”.

Christmas shoppers paused briefly to reflect on their poignant banner which read: “Stop child abuse. Don’t let there be anymore Baby Ps. Be their voice.”

Local organiser of the Justice March For Baby P; Jennie Saunders from Talbot Close, Talbot Village, said she had been overwhelmed by the response.

The protest came after grandmother Jennie set up a group on social networking site Facebook, in a bid to prevent another tragedy, which attracted more than 2,000 members.

Before taking part in the march, along with her four children and three grandchildren, she told the Daily Echo: “There’s been so much support, we’ve all been in touch with each other.

“I’m not alone; women of all ages have been deeply affected by Baby P’s death.

“When I heard the news I was so upset,” recalled Jenny, 47. “I just love kids and felt so strongly about it. As a nation, I believe we’ve all got to pull together.”

While the Bournemouth protest was being staged petitions were being handed in to 10 Downing Street while speeches and prayers were said in memory of Baby P.

The 17-month-old boy – who cannot be named for legal reasons – died in August last year after suffering more than 50 injuries at the hands of his mother, her boyfriend and their lodger, despite 60 contacts with the authorities in Haringey, north London.

His abusers are awaiting sentence for causing or allowing his death.