Anti-Thatcher party in London's Trafalgar Square attracts hundreds

Around 500 people turned up for a "party" in central London on Saturday to celebrate the death of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher as a mass protest predicted by some failed to materialize, BBC reports.

The British capital's mayor had warned of potential rioting as organizers promised thousands of opponents of Thatcher, who died aged 87 on Monday, would descend on London's Trafalgar Square to mark the passing of a leader who was loved and loathed in equal measure.

Current British politicians and world leaders past and present have paid tributes to the former premier, Britain's longest serving prime minister in over a century, but she continues to divide Britons over policies which saw her crush trade unions and privatize swathes of industry.

But in cold and rainy conditions, it attracted around 500 jovial supporters, chanting "Maggie, Maggie, Maggie, dead, dead, dead". Some danced to loud drums and waved banners bearing messages such as "Rot in hell Thatcher".

Others held up an effigy of Thatcher, complete with light blue suit and handbag, and cracked open bottles of champagne which were passed around the small crowd.

There were almost as many police and security personnel present, and a police officer at the scene told Reuters they had expected a far bigger turnout. Apart from a few brief and minor scuffles, the protest was peaceful.