Dutch police have arrested 60 protesters at a traditional 'Black Pete' celebration which sees people black-up their faces and dress as clowns.

The event celebrates the arrival of Saint Nicholas and his jester companion 'Black Pete', but some say the tradition of people painting their faces black is racist.

Protesters scuffled with police in the Dutch city of Gouda as thousands of children gathered to welcome the arrival of Sinterklaas - or Father Christmas - and Black Pete.

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Around 60 people were arrested as tensions boiled over during protests over traditional 'Black Pete' clowns who black up their faces

Men and women dress up as 'Black Pete' - Saint Nicholas' companion - as part of the Christmas tradition in Belgium (pictured) and the Netherlands

Young children, such as this girl with a blacked-up face, braved the rain for the procession in Gouda today

Police arrested dozens of protesters and supporters of the controversial tradition which has divided a nation

Police did not say who had been arrested but Dutch media suggested that protesters and supporters of the tradition had been detained.

Police spokeswoman Yvette Verboon said the protesters were detained because they were in the centre of Gouda and not at two locations that had been set aside for demonstrations well away from the festivities.

The country's Prime Minister Mark Rutte joined the debate, appearing to back the controversial ceremony.

'We should not disturb a children's party in this way,' he told broadcaster NOS.

Efforts were made to ease the tensions before the celebration by showing clowns with their faces painted white on children's television on Thursday night.

Officials in Gouda - known for its cheese - also arranged for yellow-coloured 'Cheese Petes' to walk alongside Black Petes in a concession to critics.

The procession in Gouda was marred by the confrontation between supporters and protesters, with some wearing shirts saying 'Black Pete is racist'

Dutch police said they were forced to make 60 arrests after protesters moved to the centre of the town to demonstrate instead of staying in designated protest areas outside Gouda's market square

Sinterklaas - or Father Christmas - and men dressed as Black Pete arrived on a boat in Antwerp, Belgium

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said the tradition (pictured) was a 'children's party' which should not be disturbed

Last year, more than 2million people signed a Facebook petition calling on Black Pete's appearance to remain the same

Thousands of parents and their young children - some with their faces painted black - braved the cold and wet conditions for Saint Nicholas' arrival on a white horse in the city's market square today.

Pete is usually played by a white person who paints his face pitch black, dons a frizzy wig and gives himself bright red lips.

Across the Netherlands, celebrations in which Saint Nicholas rolls into town surrounded by a host of Black Petes have come under increasing pressure from anti-racism campaigners.

Liberal politicians have called for the tradition to be abolished, while the right-wing anti-immigration Freedom Party and its founder Geert Wilders have put forward legislation that would enshrine Pete's black colour in law.

Martin Bosma, the Freedom Party's culture spokesman, said: 'There is a war underway against Black Pete.

'Ministers and mayors are working to give this loyal helper another colour. That must not happen. Our culture should not be damaged from on high. This law must protect Black Pete.'

Pete is usually played by a white person who paints his face pitch black, dons a frizzy wig and gives himself bright red lips

The tradition has divided opinion in the Netherlands and Belgium (pictured), where Liberal politicians have called for the character to be abolished

Last year, more than 2million people signed a Facebook petition to keep Black Petes' image unchanged.

Black Pete is also a popular character in Belgium, but questions are starting to be asked about whether his appearance is politically correct.

Wouter Van Bellingham, alderman of the Belgian town ofSaint Niklaas (Saint Nicholas) and director of the region's Minorities Forum, said he used to be taunted in the street with chants of 'look, there goes Black Pete'.

He added: 'Kids can be hard when it comes to that. I retorted with, "There goes White Pete." I always had my answer.'

'It is about the will of the majority and the rights of the minority. As a majority you have to be sensitive and show empathy for things that are hurtful to a minority.'