EAST Lancashire's biggest police operation was hailed as a success as Condoleezza Rice's visit to Blackburn passed without one arrest.

Officers from Lancashire and Merseyside, with back up from the FBI and rooftop snipers, ensured the safety of the two secretaries but also ensured protests passed peacefully.

Led by assistant chief constable Mike Cunningham, officers many of whom had been drafted in from rest days escorted the Foreign Secretary and Dr Rice, under the watchful gaze of two police helicopters.

Officers also took video footage and photographs of all the protesters as a precaution.

Police refused to give a figure for the number of officers who took part and the cost of the operation or how it was met.

Mr Cunningham said: "This has been a major policing operation for Lancashire and one which has been conducted under the spotlight of intense media attention.

"There were no arrests made and no significant incidents.

"We were able to allow those who wanted to protest against Dr Rice's visit to do so in a peaceful way and I would like to thank the protesters for their co-operation."