HOME secretary Charles Clarke was confronted by angry pro-hunt supporters during his visit to the region on Friday.

He was in Thirsk to look at the work of Thirsk Clock Cafe, a meeting place and advice centre for teenagers.

But before he arrived, a group of about 30 protesters gathered outside the cafe.

Mr Clarke was jeered as he entered the building and as he left to visit the police station, an egg was thrown at him and several demonstrators jostled with the police. The egg hit a security guard. One elderly man was arrested.

Garry Corbett, joint master of the Northern Counties mink hunt, said: "It shows the extent to which the Government has pushed ordinary people. People now feel that they have to take action like this to put their point across."

Richard Emmott, professional huntsman with the York and Ainsty South hunt, said: "He has come here to visit a drop-in centre for kids where they can look for jobs, but he is taking our jobs and our homes away from us."

Mr Clarke said: "They are people who do not agree with Government on hunting and they are entitled to that view."

After leaving the cafe, he was presented with a petition calling on the Government to reduce anti-social behaviour in the town.