DEMONSTRATORS from East Lancashire were today making their way to London to protest against the state visit of US President George Bush.

Mr Bush was expected to arrive in Britain today for a visit which has already been dogged by controversy.

Police say they have increased the number of officers on duty to 14,000 for the three-day visit and hundreds of US special agents are already in the UK.

Prime Minister Tony Blair said he strongly believes it is the right time for Mr Bush to visit.

But today, the day Mr Bush and his wife arrive in London, a Stop Bush rally is due to be held near Euston railway station.

Protesters from East Lancashire were expected to be among the thousands of people at the rally.

An Accrington-based spokesman for the Stop the War Coalition said it had received a lot of support from people in the area in the run-up to the conflict in Iraq.

"We certainly expect people from East Lancashire to be among the tens of thousands protesting in London.

"There is much interest in the protest in East Lancs -- and we are rapidly filling coaches," the spokesman added.

Extra police are at ports and airports and have been checking people arriving on Eurostar trains from France. Lancashire Constabulary said it, along with every other police force in the country, had been liaising with police in London about the state visit.

Mr Bush has shrugged off the protests, saying he supports free speech and expects the trip to be 'fantastic.'

Scotland Yard is overseeing the security operation for Mr Bush's visit and has said it will have all its armed units and 14,000 officers on the streets of the capital.

Mr Bush will also be protected by hundreds of armed guards from the United States.

There is currently a disagreement between the police and the Stop the War Coalition over which roads can be included in the march.

The coalition insists protesters should be allowed through Whitehall and close to the Houses of Parliament, although that seems unlikely.

On Wednesday, when the president is due at Buckingham Palace, there will be an "alternative state procession," when protesters will again try to get as close as possible to the 43rd President.