The much-hyped arrival of the controversial Bilderberg group in Hertfordshire was met by the expected level of protest.

Activists gathered in their hundreds but - certainly throughout yesterday morning - they were vastly outnumbered by journalists, photographers and bloggers keen to record the event.

For the first time this year the notoriously secretive Bilderberg group, which is holding a three-day conference at The Grove hotel in Watford this weekend, had made concessions to accommodate press and protestors.

The police and private security operation - expected to cost well into the millions - was extremely visible with helicopters circling overhead and dozens of uniformed officers in Hempstead Road.

Among the attendees was Alex Jones, a US radio DJ and Bilderberg researcher, and less expectedly Labour MP Michael Meacher who criticised the event - which Labour shadow chancellor Ed Balls and Conservative chancellor George Osborne are both present at.

With the sun beating down the arrival of each blacked out car - complete with police outrider - was greeted with boos and chants of "scum" from the swelling ranks of activists.

The day seemed to pass without serious incident with police liaison officers inside the protest area quick to defuse any confrontation.

The conference is expected to begin tonight with the 140 high-powered delegates due to depart on Sunday.