MORE than 300 anti-war protesters greeted American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at a Blackburn school but the visit was still hailed a massive success.

Boos rang out from many parents and around 150 children as Dr Rice arrived at the school with Foreign Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw.

They were joined by banner-waving anti-war protesters outside the school, chosen for the visit as an example of a top-performing ethnically-mixed school.

Some parents yesterday had demanded that headteacher Robin Camp-bell, withdrew his invitation for the US Sec-retary of State.

Around 70 per cent of the 1,200 pupils at Pleck-gate are Muslim and parents were furious they were not consulted about the visit by someone they blame for the war in Iraq.

Inside, she was shown one of the school's computer suites and a Year 9 maths class led by teacher Carol Sowerbutts, where she talked with the youngsters about which GCSEs they intended to take.

Youngsters from the school's pupil council quizzed her on everything from her political future to what she enjoyed doing in her spare time.

Afterwards Muhammed Vali, 14, a member of the Youth Council, said: "Personally I think that the anti-war protest outside was right to go ahead as what the Americans are doing in Iraq is very wrong.

"But even though that is my personal point of view, I can still recognise how prestigious it is for us to have her here today and how important it is for the town of Blackburn.

"It was good to be able to meet her and get her to account for some of the things she has done."

The first question asked by Karren Stokman, a Year 11 pupil, was: "Do you want to become the American President?"

Dr Rice, who many have predicted could become American's first black president, replied: "No I don't.

"I like being Secretary of State. I think I will go back to teaching one day."

Year 9 pupil Matthew Brown then asked Dr Rice what she knew about Blackburn and she repeated her knowledge of the town's cotton links with her home state of Alabama.

Another student council member, Paris Dawson, asked what she thought about the protesters outside the school, to which Ms Rice replied that everyone had a God-given right to express their opinion.

Dr Rice also revealed her disappointment at not being able to watch Blackburn Rovers play this weekend.

Their match against Wigan, due to be played tomorrow, has been rearranged to take place in front of Sky TV cameras on Monday.

Mr Straw said: "I too am very disappointed. I even thought about ringing Rupert Murdoch!"

Headmaster Mr Campbell said the day had been a great success, and added: "Condoleezza Rice was a very pleasant lady who showed real interest in meeting our youngsters.

"We estimate that around 15 per cent of the children didn't attend today in protest at the visit.

"We totally respect their right to express their opinions."

Protester Hanif Duhwala said: "Our children are paying their respects to the thousands of school children who have lost their lives in Iraq as a result of this American war and we are also standing in solidarity for all those British children who are the orphans of British soldiers."

But not all Muslims were against Dr Rice's visit. They included Zaheer Mahmud, 34, from Whalley New Road, Blackburn.

He said: "These same Asian members of the community have welcomed visitors from Pakistan and other countries who have done much worse things than Dr Rice.

"Her visit is part of the democratic process and these people here voted Jack Straw in at the election."