THIRTY students from the Surrey Institute of Art & Design University College briefly blocked pavements and hindered traffic in West Street when they took part in a national protest against the possible war with Iraq.
Banner and placard-holding protesters initially stepped in front of cars, urging motorists to beep their horns in support of their cause, when the protest started just after 4 pm last Thursday.
Students, some of whom were filming the demonstration on video cameras, also blocked pavements.
But within 10 minutes Farnham beat officer Chris Skillicorn-Aston was on the scene. He called for back-up and with three officers, restored order to what was a largely good-natured demonstration, despite a dispute between one student and a taxi driver.
"I think it's the only way to wake people up and alert them to what's going on," said film student Paul Sheeky.
"We're doing our bit for humanity," added Michael Chapman, a second year fine art student.
Pc Patrick Webber, who attended the scene said: "They were causing a bit of a problem blocking the road and the pavements and they were blocking the taxi rank, but they seem friendly enough underneath."
A police spokesman said the protest was "peaceful", with no arrests, and finished by 6-15 pm.
A spokesman for the Surrey Institute said: "The protest in Farnham will have been part of a nationwide Don't Attack Iraq Day of Protest, organised by the Stop the War Coalition.
"The group demonstrating in the centre of Farnham included some who are students at the institute, but the event was not organised by the institute or its Students' Union."