LIVE: Anti-vax protesters descend on Manchester city centre for rally - latest updates

Hundreds of protesters have descended on Manchester city centre this afternoon.

About 300 campaigners have gathered in Piccadilly Gardens.

Meanwhile, separate demonstrations about the Clean Air Zone and 'Defend our Democracy', protesting against the Government's controversial Elections Bill, are also being held in St Peter's Square.

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Four police vans have parked up in St Peter's Square as crowds arrived in the city centre about 1pm.

It comes after it was announced yesterday Greater Manchester's controversial Clean Air Zone will be delayed until July.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said: "The government has carefully considered the Mayor’s proposal and following meetings last week and further discussions today, the Environment Secretary has agreed to allow a short delay to the implementation of the Clean Air Zone.

"This will allow Greater Manchester to provide further evidence and a revised plan by July setting out how it will deliver legal levels of NO2 as soon as possible, and no later than 2026."

We'll have live updates from the protests below...

The gathering has come to another halt near the station. There’s a sound system blasting tunes and a couple of protesters with megaphones giving their anti-Covid restrictions/vaccines messages. @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/AkDmL7W8Yu

The gathering has come to another halt near the station. There’s a sound system blasting tunes and a couple of protesters with megaphones giving their anti-Covid restrictions/vaccines messages. @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/AkDmL7W8Yu

The gathering has