HOME secretary Charles Clarke was confronted by an angry band of pro-hunt supporters in North Yorkshire yesterday.

He was looking at the work of Thirsk Clock Caf, a youth club in the market town offering teenagers a meeting place and advice centre.

But before he arrived, a group of around 30 protesters gathered outside the caf.

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

Mr Clarke later paid tribute to the work of North-East groups involved in the fight against domestic violence.

He took part in a question and answer session in Stockton organised by the town's MP, Dari Taylor, which was also attended by police and voluntary groups.

Mr Clarke, who will attend the Labour Party conference in Gateshead today, said he was impressed by the level of commitment shown by organisations in the region.

"From what I have seen, this is a very keen and dedicated group of people who are obviously very passionate about making a difference in their field," he said.

The Home Secretary was grilled over Government funding for contact centres in the North-East, and the need for specialised courts.

Carole Moffat, manager at Barnado's Bridgeway Project, in Middlesbrough, said: "I get the impression from talking to the Home Secretary that the will is there to do something.

"Of course, it is whether or not that will is turned into real differences on the ground."