Campaigners were removed by police from Woolwich Arsenal DLR station after protesting against a domestic violence poster labelled "utterly offensive to men".

Fathers rights campaign group New Fathers 4 Justice had threatened "guerilla-style protests" at train stations displaying the poster carrying a slogan "Dads, have the strength to change".

Put up by Greenwich Council as part of its campaign to combat domestic violence, the group has described the poster as "utterly offensive, sexist and discriminatory".

The council has defended the poster pointing out it is part of a wider campaign with a variety of slogans and images used over the last year.

On Wednesday, New Fathers 4 Justice members Terry Vooght and Bobby Smith stuck stickers and banners over the posters at Woolwich Arsenal DLR station including an A4 sticker reading "Please let me see my dad".

An alternative slogan stuck over the poster by New Fathers 4 Justice at Woolwich Arsenal DLR station

Within minutes, police were called.

Mr Smith, from Stevenage, said: "We decided to come and cover the poster.

"Transport for London and the Met Police were not happy.

"There was mayhem at Woolwich station.

"Four police cars and six police turned up to throw us out because we covered that sexist poster up.

"Our version was better."

A New Fathers for Justice spokesman said: "We have made a complaint to the council, Advertising Standards Authority and Transport for London, who are displaying these posters at Woolwich Arsenal DLR train station.

"Guerrilla-style protests will be targeted at premises that continue to display these posters.

"The ManKind Initiative, a national charity that provides help and support for male victims of domestic abuse and domestic violence, has said that 40 per cent of domestic violence is against men in the UK."

Another poster from Greenwich Council's campaign against domestic violence

A Greenwich Council spokesperson said the authority welcomed the debate and discussion about its campaign.

The spokesperson said: "The council agrees that domestic violence is utterly unacceptable regardless of who is causing it.

"We also recognise that the overwhelming majority of men are good fathers and role models to their children and this campaign is not meant to detract from that.

"This is our third set of posters designed to help victims - both men and women - to come forward and seek help and they also show the impact it can have on young children.

"This single poster was developed as a result of evidence which shows that fathers who are abusive to their partners are more likely seek help to change their behaviour if they are made to face up to the damaging effects their behaviour has on their children."