Thousands of pro-Palestine demonstrators gather in Manchester city centre

Thousands of pro-Palestine protesters gathered for a mass demonstration in Manchester - following rallies the last two weekends. Scores of people marched from St Peter's Square, onto Deansgate and then Market Street before reaching St Peter's Square again.

Flags and banners were held aloft and flares were let off, as a sea of protesters took to the streets. Speeches were given at St Peter's Square before and after the circular march.

It followed a protest last Saturday (October 21), when thousands gathered at BBC's MediaCityUK headquarters at Salford Quays to demonstrate against the corporation's coverage of events in Gaza.

Ahead of today's event, Greater Manchester Police Superintendent Rachael Harrison said: "We are acutely aware members of our community are affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. This wider community impact will continue to shape our policing response.

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"At the force and district level, we are having regular dialogue with local authorises, faith and community leaders. Additional officers will continue to be deployed to key locations around the vicinity of faith schools, places of worship and in those communities where we know the levels of concern are highest.

"Officers will be highly visible around public demonstrations. We want these events to pass off peacefully but we will intervene in incidents where criminal offences take place including situations where violence or hatred is deliberately being incited."

Today (October 28) marks three weeks since Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel. The Gaza Strip has been