A MAJOR security operation will be mounted in Canterbury city centre this Easter to safeguard the Archbishop of Canterbury and the hundreds expected to attend services at the Cathedral.

It is thought armed police and Special Branch officers will supplement a heavy police presence, following the threat by Fathers 4 Justice to target the Cathedral on Easter Day and with tensions running high over the Iran and Iraq crises.

Police numbers have been boosted for the three-day Easter holiday and security checks will be made regularly.

Cathedral worshippers have been warned to keep all their personal belongings with them at all times.

The heightened security has been stepped-up following another warning from Fathers 4 Justice, the movement specialising in spectacular direct-action demonstrations, that they could be planning to disrupt Archbishop Dr Rowan Williams’ sermon on Easter Day.

Darren Ash, the Fathers 4 Justice Kent co-ordinator, from Herne Bay, said: “I am not prepared to say whether we are, or we are not, targeting the Cathedral to bring notice to our cause.” The protest organisation is demanding better rights for fathers.

Kent police have declined to speak in detail about their security arrangements.

FULL STORY IN THIS WEEK'S KENTISH GAZETTE