Le Pen 'brings shame' on village

Le Pen has been followed by angry protest

Around 50 protesters gathered in the village of Llandrinio to demonstrate against a visit by far right French leader Jean-Marie Le Pen.

Elsewhere in the UK, the National Front leader was met by angry crowds who hurled eggs and rubbish bins at his car.

But as he drove from Cheshire to the small village near Welshpool, a large police operation was mobilised to stop protesters about a quarter of a mile from the event.

The black-tie dinner was hosted by British National Party leader Nick Griffin and attended by 150 party supporters.

Several hundred police officers from the Dyfed-Powys and West Mercia forces patrolled country roads and surrounded a BNP marquee erected in an isolated field.

The attendance... will be viewed as one of the most regrettable events in the community's history Llandrinio councillor Graham Brown

Red, white and blue banners and balloons filled the tent in a field near Welshpool and the crowd went silent as Mr Le Pen arrived and took his seat.

Speaking on Monday Llandrinio councillor Graham Brown said: "The attendance of Le Pen and the British National Party in Llandrinio will be viewed as one of the most of the regrettable events in the community's history."

Describing the village - one time winner of the Welsh Village of the Year Award - as a welcoming and friendly community, he said: "They say there's a place for everything but I believe Llandrinio is not the place for the extremist views of the BNP and Le Pen," he added.

The independent member, who represents an electorate of around 550, said he had spoken to villagers about the visit.

"There is a feeling people do not want to be associated with this," he said.

Weyman Bennett, of Unite Against Fascism, said he travelled to the field with other protesters.

"The place was ringed with police," he said.

"We wanted to make it clear wherever Le Pen was people were sending him a message to say he's not welcome.

Le Pen and Nick Griffin salute the crowd

"His visit was comical and also sinister. He has gone straight back out (of the country) again."

Nick Griffin, leader of the BNP, who lives near Welshpool, said demonstrators had tried to disrupt the election launch but failed.

"What happened in Manchester was absolutely outrageous," said Mr Griffin.

Mr Griffin told reporters it made sense for "nationalists" to work together.

"Unless the nationalists of Europe co-operate, the internationalists of Europe - the Eurocrats - will destroy all our national freedoms and identities separately," he said.

Trade unions and anti-fascist groups say Mr Le Pen's presence will inflame racial tensions and "pose a danger to all".