Occupy activists stage protest at St Paul's cathedral in London

LONDON (AFP) - Four demonstrators from the anti-capitalist Occupy movement on Sunday chained themselves to the pulpit in London's St Paul's cathedral, a year on from the group's protest camp outside the famous church.

The activists cut themselves free around five hours later when City of London Police entered the cathedral and gave them an arrest warning, said an Occupy spokesman.

Mr David Ison, Dean of St Paul's, said "four young women dressed in white" made their move to occupy the pulpit during his evening prayer.

Cathedral staff told police they were happy to allow the protest as officers outside the building monitored a separate demonstration by Occupy activists. This group unfurled a large banner reading "throw the money changers out of the temple" on the cathedral steps.