POLICE were called to Southampton's Mayflower theatre after animal rights activists turned the last night of The Nutcracker Suite into chaos.

Around a dozen demonstrators were involved in the debacle, which happened minutes after the start of the English National Ballet production on Saturday evening.

Protesters sounded klaxons, waved banners, threw leaflets and sounded horns as they launched their protest from the balcony.

Dancers attempted to keep up their performance but the curtain was dropped minutes after the incident began.

As staff attempted to eject the campaigners, shouting ensued between other members of the audience who were chanting to the group to leave.

An eyewitness said: "It all began after about 15 minutes. Suddenly there was the sound of klaxons. They made so much noise you could hear them over the tannoy system. It was extraordinary.

"It was the last show put on by the company during its week in Southampton and the theatre was absolutely full.

"People were shouting 'out, out, out' back at them.''

The uproar lasted for several minutes while management at the theatre urgently summoned the police.

A police officer confirmed they had been called to the Mayflower and that 12 people had been involved in the demonstration.

He said: "They were asked to leave and they did so. We made no arrests.''

Paul Lewis, head of marketing and operations at the Mayflower, was not present at Saturday's production but told the Daily Echo: "I understand there was a small disruption during the performance by some demonstrators.

"I have no idea why they wanted to do it. The performance resumed after 20 minutes and was completed.''

It is understood that the demonstration was made against a director of English National Ballet. No one for the company was available for comment.