Penn and Sarandon to fast for peace

Hollywood stars Sean Penn and Susan Sarandon are to join a fast protesting against the Iraq war.

Protestors will each give up food for 24 hours, with the "rolling fast" due to last until International Peace Day on the 21st of September.

The protest has been organised by CodePink, a woman's anti-war group who are concerned at the loss of life on both sides of the Iraq conflict. Other celebrities due to take part include country singer Willie Nelson and actor Danny Glover.

Around 150 protestors began the fast outside the White House on Tuesday morning, including leading anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan, whose son died in Iraq.