A MASSIVE security lock-down brought Walthamstow to a standstill on Sunday when a mysterious procession of diplomatic vehicles stopped to re-fuel at a petrol station.

Hundreds of police and security personnel closed the Texaco garage on Forest Road and surrounding area at 2pm while the motorcade filled up, as dozens of stunned residents rushed from their homes to watch.

Eye-witnesses at the scene said one of the cars was identical to American President Barack Obama's 'Beast' car, prompting rumours the procession may have had something to do with the upcoming G20 summit.

Suspicions have been fuelled by the police's refusal to comment on Sunday's events for "security reasons."

President Obama was not in the UK on Sunday, but the White House have said some of his security staff were in London at the weekend preparing for his visit.

Security staff working for other world leaders at the G20 summit were also in the capital on Saturday and Sunday.

Resident Reece Brown, of nearby St John's Road, was one of those who came out of his house to watch after hearing the commotion.

He said: "It was extraordinary, like something out of a movie.

"There were hundreds of police everywhere, some of them on motorbikes. In the middle was this big group of expnsive looking black cars with blacked-out windows, they looked American. They looked liked stretch limos but military versions. They were massive.

"There were all these huge men that looked like bodyguards - they had black suites, sunglasses and earpieces - you wouldn't want to mess with them.

"The police surrounded the petrol station in a cordon and closed down the area. Everyone came out of their homes to see what was going on. All I could see was they were filling up some of the cars.

"The whole place came to a standstill. People were saying it was Obama's motorcade and now everyone reckons he might be coming to Walthamstow. The police wouldn't say anything which only made us more suspicious."

Neighbour Sally Roberts said: "I've never seen anything like it. The number of police was just ridiculous - whoever the car belonged to must have been someone very important.

"The security men looked just like the secret service types you see on TV.

"Now everyone in my house thinks Obama's going to pay a surprise visit to Walthamstow. It's probably unlikely but you never know."

Did you see the motorcade? Contact the newsdesk on 8498 3437 or via email on dbinns@london.newsquest.co.uk