'Top Gear' abandons Argentina filming after protests

London: The cast and crew of 'Top Gear' have cut short a visit to Argentina following claims host Jeremy Clarkson drove a car that made reference to the Falklands War.

The motoring programme had been filming in South America for an upcoming 'Top Gear' special when the controversy emerged, reports suggest.

The team returned to the UK three days early after being denied permission to film by local authorities.

Residents responded to the use of the number plate 'H982FKL' - thought to refer to the island territories and the year conflict broke out - by holding protests outside the hotel where Clarkson and fellow presenters James

May and Richard Hammond were staying.

Reports in the Argentinian press have also claimed that the team had to be escorted to the airport and were forced to abandon their cars at the side of the road after they were pelted with stones.