LIVE: Day of peaceful protests planned in Manchester city centre

Protests are being held in Manchester city centre today. A number of peaceful demonstrations are planned. Protests are expected across the country this weekend.

A demonstration entitled 'Stand Up For Your Country: Enough is Enough' is due to get underway in the city centre this morning (Saturday). A counter protest - 'Stop The Far Right' - is also being held.

The Trans Pride Manchester march is also due to be held, as well as a regular Ukrainian solidarity event and an event organised by Manchester Palestine Action regarding the Gaza conflict.

We'll bring you the latest in the live blog below...

Counter-protesters have started to gather in the city centre this morning. They're carrying placards and speakers are addressing the crowd.

The counter- demonstrators have already started gathering on one corner of the Gardens with speeches being made over their PA system. One speakers says protesters across the country are ‘using the death of three little girls to stir hatred and division’ pic.twitter.com/dBrnbdXx94

There is currently a large police presence in Piccadilly Gardens ahead of the planned demonstrations.

There is a heavy police presence in and around the Gardens pic.twitter.com/T3Vq5opQOx

A number of protests are planned in the city centre today. Our reporter Chris Slater is currently in Piccadilly Gardens.

I’m in the city centre where a number of protests have been planned, including a a demo advertised ‘Enough is Enough: Stand up for your country’ and a ‘Stop the far right’ counter demo. Piccadilly Gardens has been fenced off a split into two for the two sets of protesters pic.twitter.com/487XjcjLt8