Protesters chained themselves together

More than 30 peace activists turned up at the building shortly after 1400GMT on Thursday to begin their occupation.

Police were called to the protest and after two hours officers moved in to cut them free.

A spokesman for Dyfed-Powys-Police said 15 people were arrested for a breach of the peace and taken away in police vans. They were later released.

Organised by CND Cymru, it was one of many demonstrations taking place across west Wales following the first military strikes against Iraq.

Police said further arrests were made in Llanelli where protesters attempted to block a main road.

I'm dead against this war as many families are Soldier's grandfather Malcolm Davies

Earlier in the day, traffic was brought to a standstill at Llandysul as more than 100 pupils walked out of school and marched through the town in a noisy anti-war demo.

They chanted anti-war slogans in Welsh to the sound of a drumbeat and sounded air-horns to mimic air raid sirens.

The protests follow the first American bombing raids on Iraq that began at 0234GMT.

Police were called

CND Cymru protest organiser Hywel Irene said: "Our taxes are linking us to the onslaught that is happening right now on the people of Iraq.

"We do not want to be linked to the destruction of another nation."

A protest took place at Swansea's Castle Square for the second day running.

Peace vigil

Among those attending a peace vigil at Llanelli's Sunken Gardens was Malcolm Davies, whose 22-year-old granddaughter is serving with the British forces in Kuwait.

"I'm dead against this war as many families are," he said.

"They talk about Saddam being cruel to his own people, what about all the missiles America intends firing?

"God help the people out there - innocent men women and children are going to get killed."

I know what the parents are going through - the last time when I heard the war had started I just cried and cried Sue Thomas

CND Cymru also organised a peace vigil outside Ammanford's main Post Office.

But the majority of schools were unaffected by war protests and none of the local authorities in the region reported any action by their workforce.

'Distressing time'

Meanwhile, a support groups for mothers whose sons and daughters are serving in the Gulf is being set up in Swansea.

Helping out is Sue Thomas who formed the Gulf Mums Association in 1990 when her son was involved in the conflict.

Her efforts prompted the formation of a nationwide network of similar organisations.

It famously led to manufacturer HP sending out 36,000 bottles of brown sauce to troops after her son said that was what he was missing the most.

A meeting of the group is planned for 27 March at the Plough public house on Clais Road in Morriston.

"I know what the parents are going through - the last time when I heard the war had started I just cried and cried," said Mrs Thomas.

"It is a very distressing time for them."