POLICE officers were called to a meeting of Southampton City Council after hecklers refused to leave the hall.

The meeting was delayed for an hour and confusion reigned after the Trade and Union Socialist Coalition campaigners interrupted the meeting several times.

The meeting is taking place to set the council's budget for next year.

After heckling Labour finance chief Mark Chaloner, Mayor Linda Norris ordered them to leave.

However they refused and the police were called to remove them.

The meeting was delayed for an hour as police arrived and eventually the men agreed to remain quiet and stay in the meeting.

Independent councillor Andrew Pope tabled a motion of no confidence in the Mayor, saying she had "wasted police time".

However the motion was defeated and the meeting is now carrying on.