ANTI-WAR protesters in Gravesham are going too far, says MP Chris Pond.

About 25 people protested outside the Labour party offices in Gravesend where they called for Mr Pond to resign as MP.

He said: "I know how strongly people feel about the action in Iraq and I have arranged a meeting to hear people's views on Friday, April 4.

"However, some of the tactics of the Stop the War coalition - shouting in the street while I am discussing other matters with constituents, targeting my home and family and plans to occupy MPs' offices, do an injustice to the views of the many decent people in Gravesham who oppose this conflict."

Members of the Stop the War Campaign were surprised at the number of police officers in attendance at a peaceful process.

Sarah Gow, of the campaign, said: "We would have thought that Gravesend police had enough work to do catching muggers and burglars instead of spying on law-abiding citizens exercising their democratic right to peaceful protest."

All ages joined in to show that they were against the war in Iraq, from children to pensioners.

Theresa Whittington from the campaign said: "We just wanted our voice to be heard.

"So many people are against the war, it is important to make our feelings known.

"We are totally behind our troops and the bravery they are showing but we feel the war is unnecessary."

A spokesman for Gravesend police station said: "Our first and main concern is public safety.

"We were not there to hinder any peaceful public protest but we were told there would be a protest and we were unsure of the numbers that would be attending.

"It turned out the protest was entirely peaceful.

"With regard to the filming of the protest, this is now a standard process.

"If any problems occur at a protest we have a film to show what did happen.

"This is as much for the protection of the public as for the police officers."