Teachers bravely refused to be bullied into working longer for less yesterday by launching their first national strike since the Tories took power.

Tens of thousands turned out at more than 30 rallies organised by the National Union of Teachers (NUT) across England and Wales.

It was the defiant reply of stretched and stressed teachers to Education Secretary Michael Gove's attacks on their pay, pension and profession.

Mr Gove told unions in a letter this week that he has no intention of making changes to his plans despite weeks of talks.

Teachers must work until they're 68, see national pay rates ripped up and be handed extra administrative work, he insisted.

NUT leader Christine Blower told her members that was why it is "time to stand up for education" at a packed rally in Westminster.

She said: "When members tell us they love teaching but are crushed by long hours and stifling accountability regime that they simply can't stay in teaching.

"We know then that we have to stand up for education."

From young trainees to veterans nearing retirement, teachers united in defiance of Mr Gove's attacks on them and their pupils.

London secondary school teacher Lisa said children will suffer if teachers are forced to stay in the classroom for an extra three years.

"I honestly don't think you can carry on doing this job until you're 68 and do it well," she told the Star.

And Carol Jumpp described how Tory policies could see her sacked because her 20 years of experience make her more expensive than a young teacher.

They were among 11,000 teachers who swamped central London shopping streets before breaking the silence of Con-Dem ministers' Whitehall hideaway.

They had assembled among an array of banners and hail of whistles outside Broadcasting House in a protest over the BBC's coverage of previous strikes.

BBC bosses made a "belated" decision to cover the latest and fifth walkout of teachers against Mr Gove, according to Ms Blower.

But she added: "They will have not failed to hear teachers roar today."

Ayesha Watling, a deputy head teacher in London, also told media to stop parroting Mr Gove's accusations that striking teachers are the "enemies of promise."

She said: "It's not about militant people, it's about passionate people, people who care what happens to the children of this country.

"It makes me really angry that the emphasis in the media is about why this is an inconvenience for parents."

A BBC spokeswoman said the corporation was "satisfied that our coverage has been fair, balanced and impartial."

NUT leader Ms Blower was due to see Con-Dem Schools Minister David Laws for further talks yesterday evening.