ANTI-WAR protesters threw paint bombs after infiltrating an Army meeting attended by Watford MP Claire Ward and the Assistant Chief Constable.

The guerrilla peace campaigners hurled five red stain bombs in their assault at The Colosseum on Thursday, February 21.

Local dignitaries, including the mayor and mayoress and councillors, were at the event.

Miss Ward was sitting at the front for the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst presentation.

She said: "Well, it was scary, it was a bit of a shock."

The lights were dimmed for a film on recruitment when the protesters hurled the paint. They took to the stage and unfurled a banner.

Early reports suggest as many as six people were involved. A female member with the group took photographs, indicating it was a publicity stunt.

The raiders also appear to have been invited by the army to sit in on the meeting.

Councillor Dick Bamford said he had raised security concerns about the men - looking unkenpt and with rucksacks - with the soldiers on the door.

Two protesters with placards had been waiting in the rain outside as the guests filed in at about 6.30pm.

After throwing the paint at the presentation equipment, one protester started to read out a speech. He was heckled by the audience.

It is understood that the Assistant Chief Constable telephoned for officers, who escorted the men from the premises.

The presentation continued, complete with finger buffet.