STUDENTS and staff at Bolton Sixth Form College wore red and tied red ribbons around their wrists to show their support for the #bringbackourgirls campaign.

They say they will continue to wear red until the schoolgirls — more than 200 — who have been kidnapped by Islamists militants in Nigeria are back with their families.

The red symbolises solidarity with the mothers of the girls, who have been wearing red as they march in Nigeria.

Sharon Marshall, literacy coordinator and senior tutor at Bolton Sixth Form College, said: “I have been blown away by the students and staff by the response to the campaign at the college.

“Students have got behind the campaign understanding the seriousness of the situation. This is not about religion, culture or geography, it is about human rights and showing solidarity.”

Ms Marshall was approached by a number of students asking what they could do.

Bethany Southern, aged 17, designed a poster to raise awareness of the horrific act in Nigeria.

She said: “I was in tears when I found out — I never thought something like this could happen because of the fact they are girls and in school — everyone has a right to education.”

Hannah Khan, aged 18, added: “I was really angry when I found what had happened, that these people are taking away their human rights. If everybody does something, it can make a massive difference.”

Rawan Alomari, aged 16, said: “I am really proud that students at this college are getting involved students can do something.”

Today the girls together with Ms Marshall will be on Victoria Square handing out leaflets gathering more support for the campaign.

As well as wearing red every Friday, students will be keeping in touch with the #bringbackourgirls campaign to find out what other action they can take.

Steve Wetton, principal of Bolton Sixth Form College, said:“We encourage our students to take an active interest in world events and I know that the condemnation of this event throughout the world is supported.”