HUNDREDS of people took to the streets of Newport on Saturday to protest against a planned anti-Islamic march, which had been cancelled days before.

Protestors marched from Pill into John Frost Square on Saturday morning, denouncing the far-right group the Welsh Defence League which had been planning its own march through the city centre against the conversion into a mosque of the former United Reform Church on Victoria Road.

Around 350 people took part in Saturday's march, waving banners and placards, and chanting slogans.

The Socialist Party, Unison and teacher's union NASUWT were all out in force and around 50 police officers were stationed throughout the city centre for the peaceful protest.

Gwent Police said the event was good natured and there were no arrests.

Despite the poor weather, people were in good spirits, waving Welsh flags and cheering speeches in the square.

Newport MPs Paul Flynn and Jess Morden, as well as AMs Rosemary Butler and John Griffiths, were all at the march.

Mr Flynn said Newport has a proud record of racial harmony and the problems created by the "absolutely false" claims that there was a danger of a war memorial at the United Reform Church being desecrated only served to bring different groups and communities closer together.

Mrs Butler added: "There's young and old people of all colours here and I'm really proud the citizens of Newport are standing up and saying 'we're not having this.'"

As part of the march, Gwent Police were sending messages to people's mobile phones in the square via Bluetooth.

These included asking protestors to leave the square by 3pm, informing people about free bottled water from Newport's Neighbourhood Policing Team and thanking protestors for the peaceful nature of the demonstration.