A PARADE for returning soldiers from The Royal Anglian Regiment was overshadowed today following an anti-war protest.

A PARADE for returning soldiers from The Royal Anglian Regiment was overshadowed today following an anti-war protest.

More than 200 soldiers from the 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, known as The Poachers, who have just returned from Iraq, were parading in Luton when the disturbance broke out.

A group of Muslim protesters, who were hemmed in by police as the parade marched past, waved placards with slogans including: “Anglian Soldiers: Butchers of Basra” and “Anglian Soldiers: cowards, killers, extremists.”

As the soldiers reached Luton Town Hall the small group of protesters shouted “Terrorists” and “Anglian Soldiers Go to Hell”.

The protesters then had to be protected by police as supporters of the soldiers turned on them shouting “Scum” and “No surrender to the Taleban”.

Bedfordshire Police confirmed two people were arrested for public order offences and taken to Luton Police Station.