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Protesters waving placards and wearing masks picketed the Church of Scientology in Plymouth at the weekend.

They were part of a worldwide mass action against the religion, which they call a “dangerous cult”. The protests were co-ordinated by an internet-based organisation calling itself “Anonymous”.

A woman who wanted to be known only as Kaz spoke for around 30 protesters outside the Scientology office in Ebrington Street, Plymouth, on Saturday.

She claimed the Scientologists charged followers “up to £200,000 for salvation, and we say salvation should be free”.

She said the organisation had recruited stars like Tom Cruise and John Travolta, but had kept its true nature hidden from them so that it could portray itself as “a quaint celebrity cult”.

Daniella Gibbs, 22, used to work in the Ebrington Street office, but left and joined the protesters.

She said she had got involved when she was 18 for a year because she believed she would get training as a counsellor.

She said she left after her working hours were extended to 86 hours a week, and she was encouraged to recruit new members.

A spokeswoman for the Scientologists said at the weekend: “Since January 17, 2008, ‘Anonymous’, a group hiding their identities behind masks and computer anonymity, has targeted the Scientology religion, its churches, leaders and parishioners with hate speech and hate crimes.

“The church has not interacted with these “Anonymous” individuals, nor does it desire to.”