RIVAL marchers strode through a North-East city today.

A small crowd of around 40 National Front supporters marched from Manors Metro Station in Byker to the Bigg Market in Newcastle city centre.

After a brief speech, police officers were left to clear up an array of St George's flags left by supporters.

Earlier in the day an anti-racism gathering met at the foot of Grey's Monument, in the city.

A group of around 50 supporters then marched to the Bigg Market to protest against the National Front parade.

Access to the Bigg Market was denied for the public for a hour as a huge police presence kept the two groups apart.

Now in its fifth year, Sunday's annual National Front parade was organised by party member Steve Hillman.

The 41-year-old electrician said part of the group's ambition for the day was to lobby the country's leaders for a St George's Day bank holiday.

He said: "It's an important occasion for us because St George is our patron saint. St Patrick's Day has become a huge occasion over here and we want our saint's day marked properly.

"It seems we're losing our national identity. We're holding the march so people can see what's happening.

"We want to raise our profile and welcome people to get involved in what we're trying to achieve."

One anti-racism supporter in attendance was expected to be Elswick councillor Dipu Ahad.

He said before the march: "It's really important we make sure these far-Right groups aren't welcome in society.

"It's a worry at the moment because they're manipulating lots of young people by trying to fit their ideologies with what the young want to see.

"We want to stop people in Newcastle being misled."