The Labour Party conference in Brighton is increasingly becoming the centre for anti-govcernment protests this week.

Top of the list appears to be pensions minister, Jeff Rooker, who was jeered and booed by pensioners as he arrived for a conference fringe meeting. 300 pensioners campaigning for the restoration of the links between the state pension and average earnings gave Mr Rooker the rough ride. Speaking at the meeting, Mr Rooker told the audience that he hadn't had to attend but wanted to listen to concerns and work with the organisers of the rally, The National Pensioners Convention.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, is expected to tell delegates shortly that the resoration of the links between pensions and earnings will not happen. Arriving at the conference this lunchtime, Mr Brown said that there were no major changes to announce.

Further protests are expected from the Countryside Alliance who have a contingent of 1,500 reported to be in Brighton today. The Countryside Alliance are protesting at government changes affecting people in the countryside; their protest will include a procession of floats past the conference centre. The carnival atmosphere may not be to the fore however, as protesters will demand changes to fuel duty and a reduction in bureaucracy for farmers. Farmers are expected to join the procession driving some 120 tractors.