Protest fathers storm Big Brother

Fathers' rights protesters stormed TV's Big Brother compound today in a bid to unveil a banner on the roof emblazoned with David Blunkett's face.

Only when police called in a helicopter with heat-seeking equipment did officers manage to find the men.

Security guards at the studio in Borehamwood contacted police after the men launched their assault.

While one group caused a diversion at the main gate by letting off fireworks, two other teams attempted to scale the walls surrounding the compound.

One group managed to get over the first wall but were unable to climb over the 25ft high fence separating the house from the outside world. Fathers4Justice said their plan was to distribute food and drink to the housemates, who include model Caprice, Brigitte Nielsen, tipster John McCririck and Happy Mondays dancer Bez.

They also wanted to unfurl a banner drawing attention to former Home Secretary David Blunkett's legal fight for access to the child he claims to have fathered during his affair with Kimberly Quinn.

A dozen officers and a police helicopter with heat-seeking equipment finally tracked down the protesters.

Thirteen men and two women were arrested for conspiracy to cause criminal damage and were being held at St Albans and Hatfield police stations. Hertfordshire police said they had been tipped off that the group was planning to target the house today. A spokesman said: "It took about an hour to round up all the protesters. They did not put up any resistance once we managed to find them. None of the housemates were involved in the incident."

The group were not wearing their characteristic superhero costumes at the time, although the three who managed to get inside were carrying Superman and Batman costumes in bags, ready to put on later.

Fathers4Justice founder Matt O'Connor said the group was planning another raid on the house using "a form of air transport" later today.

He said about 15 protesters had planned to climb on the roof of the house and distribute vodka, condoms and chocolate to the contestants.

He said: "While one group created a diversion by letting off fireworks to attract the guard dogs patrolling the perimeter, the other two groups tried to scale the walls of the compound. One got as far as the inner wall, but the security arrangements are really tight - a damn sight tighter than at Buckingham Palace.

"We'd brought along a bottle of Diet Coke especially for John McCririck, who has been protesting about not getting his share."

Mr O'Connor said the group wanted to raise its profile among Big Brother's audience and warn young men in particular about the consequences of fatherhood and the role of the courts and the Child Support Agency. He added: "We targeted Big Brother because of the demographics of its audience but also because of its symbolism. Fathers are being evicted from their homes and their children's lives just as the housemates are being evicted."

The stunt is the latest by the headline-grabbing group, which protests over the treatment of fathers in the family courts. Fathers4Justice campaigners Jason Hatch and Dave Pyke sparked an embarrassing security breach on 13 September when they staged a protest at Buckingham Palace dressed as Batman and Robin.