By Steve Bargeton, political editor

HOME SECRETARY Charles Clarke yesterday imposed a security clampdown on anarchists thought to be rehearsing for mass protests at the G8 Summit at Gleneagles this summer.

Hundreds of demonstrators are expected to descend on the golf resort Breadsall Priory Hotel near Derby where G8 environment and development ministers are due to meet senior officials from the United Nations and the World Bank tomorrow.

The Dissent protest group has called on supporters to gather in Derby and march across the city and through local villages to the hotel.

It has arranged a 'Challenge Anneky' day, themed on Anneka Rice's TV show, and is offering spoof prizes to anyone who hurls a pie at a G8 minister or plants a skull-and-crossbones flag in the 18th hole of Breadsall's golf course.

The Breadshall resort bears some striking similarities to the set-up at Gleneagles. It has two golf courses and stands alone in the Derbyshire countryside, surrounded by a number of small villages.

Derbyshire police and local councillors have called on the Home Secretary to ban the demonstration amid fears that it will be used as a warm up for major disruption of the meeting of world leaders at Gleneagles in July.

Derby City Council asked for the imposition of «special measures» to counter the threat, including a ban on marches through the city centre until 12 pm on Saturday.

«Police intelligence suggests there could be trouble and disruption if the protesters were allowed to leave the Market Place and process through the city and up to Breadsall Priory,» said council leader Maurice Burgess.

«We want to avoid that and enable the protesters to have their say peacefully.

«This is the first time we have had to seek such an order and have not taken this decision lightly.»

Yesterday Mr Clarke agreed to ban protestors from marching to the hotel and from assembling in three villages near the hotel.

However, he gave permission for a rally in the city's Market Place, but with a limit of 3000 people.

The Home Secretary has no powers to ban marches or demonstrations in Scotland, unless he believes there is a terrorist threat.

A Scottish Executive spokesman said, «In respect of marches in Scotland, it would be a matter between the local authority and the chief constable.»

Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson yesterday reiterated that the chief constable of Tayside, John Vine, will be in overall command of all police assets at Gleneagles during the summit.

In a written question SNP justice spokesman Kenny MacAskill asked, «How many police officers from forces outwith Scotland will be deployed during the G8 summit» and «who will be in overall control of these officers.»

Ms Jamieson said that it is «too early» to be precise about the number of officers from forces outwith Scotland who will be deployed in Scotland during the G8 Summit, adding, «That will depend on operational decisions to be taken in due course by the Scottish Police Service.»