A GROUP of Barnoldswick teenagers touched gloves with boxer Chris Eubank - moments before he was arrested after staging an anti-war protest.

The youths were outside Downing Street when the former world champion arrived in his mammoth American truck, which was decorated with a banner urging Gordon Brown to end the Iraq occupation.

Together with town councillor Jenny Purcell, they managed to shake hands with the flamboyant sportsman and wish him well before he was taken into custody by armed police officers.

The surprise encounter was part of an action-packed trip for members of the Fosters Drop-In group, who also saw the Queen and enjoyed a guided tour of Westminster by Pendle MP Gordon Prentice - another high-profile critic of the Iraq war.

The visit was arranged by Coun Purcell using both the teenagers' own money and funds raised through various clean-up operations in Barnoldswick.

Setting off at the crack of dawn, they took the train down to the capital and headed off to meet Mr Prentice at Westminster.

They were shown around the House of Commons, saw St Stephen's Gate, the committee rooms and the MPs private chapel, which is usually out of bounds to all but a privileged few.

Coun Purcell said: "It was absolutely wonderful - I've never seen anything like it.

"We kept seeing the police with guns and the kids were asking them: Are those real? Have you got the safety catch on?'"

After having lunch with Mr Prentice on the terrace, the group went across to the London Eye to take in some panoramic views of the capital.

They were accidentally caught up in Chris Eubank's protest when they went to Downing Street to give the youngsters a glimpse of Number 10 from the gated entrance.

Coun Purcell said: "We were talking to a policeman and then all of a sudden I heard this loud hooting of a horn.

"This big shiny wagon came down and stopped right in the middle of the road in front of Downing Street. Then this bloke came out in a flat cap and I thought: I know him - it's Chris Eubank!' "The kids were all shouting Go on Chris!' and we got a photo with him."

Coun Purcell said that the monocle-wearing 40-year-old was being cheered as he got into a police car and managed to shake hands with some of the Barlick teenagers to thank them for supporting him.

After the excitement had died down, the FDI members then went to Buckingham Palace and saw the Queen coming out in her car. Her Majesty was reportedly much amused by some of the kids' novelty hats and waved at them.

After watching the changing of the guard, the group set off home and got back to Barnoldswick for 10pm.

Coun Purcell added: "The kids were great ambassadors for the town - the lads always offered to let ladies sit down on the trains. We were really proud of them."

Speaking after the visit, Gordon Prentice said: "I really enjoyed being with the young people. They are a great crowd."