Protesters attempt to interrupt Bush arrival

Protesters standing behind barriers attempted to interrupt George W Bush's official arrival ceremony today with one man using a loud speaker to chant his objections at the US President's controversial visit to the UK.

However, protester efforts were drowned out when the band of the Grenadier Guards and the Corps of the Drums of the Battalion trumpeted out the Star Spangled Banner.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and Home Secretary David Blunkett with guide dog, Sadie, were among the distinguished guests who greeted Mr Bush and First Lady, Laura Bush.

Guards of honour in their black bearskin head gear and long, blue-gray coats stood to attention facing the presidential party.

More than a hundred members of the British Household Cavalry mounted on their black steeds, wearing shiny gold breastplates and red or white tassels on their decorative helmets, lined up outside the gates of Buckingham Palace.

A 41-gun salute thundered out from nearby Green Park, across Constitution Hill during the ceremony, with smoke billowing from the large cannons.

Midway through the salvos which was fired at 10 second intervals by the King’s Troops, Royal Horse Artillery, the bomb proof Cadillac DeVille carrying president Bush crawled a hundred yards or so from the Belgian Suite where the VIPs were staying to the front of the palace.