Police thought the party was to be an illegal rave

Rob Angell of Castle Cary, Somerset, had booked a barn for the evening at nearby Batcombe, as well as spending a considerable amount on food and drink for around 60 guests.

But police who were convinced he was planning an illegal rave for up to 3,000 party-goers, presented him with the court order forcing him to pack everything up and cancel the party.

Mr Angell told BBC News Online: "They said details had been picked up on the internet. They had seen an advert for the party and were expecting around 3,000 people to turn up."

I asked what they had picked up and how but they weren't prepared to show me anything or go into their intelligence reports.

I tried to reason with them - there was no way you could get 3,000 in the barn and we only had food and drink for 50 or 60 Rob Angell

"They served us with a notice and said they had to stay there until we packed up all the stuff and left."

Mr Angell, a father of two, and his brother Julian then stowed their sound equipment in a van and headed away from the barn before being pulled over by police officers.

"As we drove off, we came across a van of eight or 10 police who had blocked the road.

"The same van then turned around and followed us to my house. We got to within half a mile from my house and they pulled us over and cautioned us with conspiracy to cause a public nuisance.

"I couldn't understand what was going on. I felt a bit upset when they stopped us. I thought it was getting ridiculous."

Police had also blocked the road into the village of Batcombe, preventing locals from entering or leaving until after midnight.

Mr Angell was 40 in March but decided to wait until the summer for better weather to celebrate his birthday with friends and family.

Criminal Justice

"I sent the email to about 30 people with an internet link of directions," Mr Angell said.

The first he knew of the mix-up was at 1300 GMT when two policemen arrived at the barn and presented him with a section 63 order, under the Criminal Justice Act.

"I tried to reason with them - there was no way you could get 3,000 in the barn and we only had food and drink for the 50 or 60 that we planned for.

"We ended up with about 30 people at my house but I wasn't in the party mood by then.

"What didn't help was the police followed eight of us back to my house and sat outside for at least two hours in riot gear which was a bit provocative."

Mr Angell has written to the Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police, demanding an apology as well as to the Police Complaints Authority and his MP.

Avon and Somerset Police said they were investigating the incident, but could not comment further.