George Bush is not the first visiting US President to cause a stink with his security demands.

Forty years ago, the wife of prime minister Harold Macmillan was shocked when asked to store a reserve supply of John F Kennedy's blood in their fridge.

The unusual request came during Kennedy's two-day stay with Macmillan at his Birch Grove country estate in the village of Chelwood Gate, near Haywards Heath.

Just a few months later it became tragically clear just how important a president's security could be when JFK was shot dead during a motorcade parade in Dallas.

The 40th anniversary of his murder falls on Saturday, the day after his successor is due to return home from his state visit to Britain.

Anti-war activists are planning a series of high-profile protests throughout President Bush's visit.

Brighton and Hove activists plan to bring the city to a standstill with demos starting at the Old Steine this evening.

And many more are promising to join opposition on the streets of London as Mr Bush tours the capital and meets Tony Blair, the Queen and representatives of the armed forces.

The President's advisers have asked the Government to close off certain areas to protect Mr Bush and will also mount a strong security presence of their own.

Such are the fears of possible violent disturbances, owing to widespread anger at the American-led invasion of Iraq.

Kennedy was no stranger to war anxieties - specifically, the Cold War and Vietnam - and a handful of "ban the bomb" protesters greeted him in Britain.

But he generally received a more respectful welcome during his informal stay at the Macmillan home on June 29 and 30, 1963.

Crowds looked on peacefully as he travelled in a long convoy to worship at a Roman Catholic service in nearby Forest Row.

But Lady Dorothy Macmillan was not quite so accommodating.

Kennedy's secret servicemen asked her to store the reserve supply of his blood, in case he needed an emergency transfusion.

She refused, repulsed by the thought of keeping human blood alongside delicacies and dog food.

According to legend, the blood went off and filled the house with a terrible stench.

Kennedy's notorious womanising ways also threatened to cause a diplomatic incident, when an off-the-cuff comment surprised the more conservative Macmillans.

The president is said to have left his host speechless by suddenly remarking: "I don't know if it's the same with you, Harold, but I find if I don't have sex at least once every 24 hours I get these goddamn headaches."

The two regarded each other as good friends, however, with Mr Macmillan providing a special rocking chair designed to ease the President's painful back.

He also took his guest to a nearby pub, the Red Lion, for a friendly chat over a couple of pints.

Land next to the pub was transformed into a helicopter pad for the presidential aircraft.

JFK's entourage also took over The Grand hotel in Brighton, turning it into a White House-style communications centre and installing 150 phonelines.

Kennedy returned the favours by giving his hosts a gilt mirror, brush and comb set inscribed with Lady Dorothy's initials, three books, two written by himself, and a silver writing desk set.

The set included a large blotter, a letter-opener, a jotter and an inkstand bearing the inscription: "To the Rt. Hon. Harold Macmillan, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, from John F Kennedy, President of the United States of America, June 1963."

Macmillan kept the writing desk on proud display in the hall, up until his death at Birch Grove in 1986.

The canny Macmillans also got financial value out of the president's generosity.

Thousands of visitors queued to visit the house and marvel at the gifts he left at a series of special open days.

And Lady Dorothy immediately bumped up the admission prices, from one shilling to 1s 6d.

At the time, Lady Dorothy told The Argus: "I was a little worried about putting the price up but I felt it was justified in the circumstances.

"Unfortunately, we forgot about the need for more change and it was a bit chaotic at first. Nobody had any sixpences."

The proceeds were donated to the Pensions Fund for Retired District Nurses.

But the presidency was brought to an abrupt, violent end on November 22 when shots rang out from a Texas book depository - and, so conspiracy theorists claim, from a nearby grassy knoll.