A cycling festival in Greater Manchester has been disrupted by violence, leading to 12 people being injured and eight arrests.

Thirty protesters interrupted the event at Curzon Ashton Football Club’s Tameside stadium on Saturday at about 3.15pm. Organisers of the Eritrean Cycle festival said the protesters threw bottles, food and beer kegs, and that young children were put in danger.

Riot officers were deployed by Greater Manchester police (GMP) at the stadium in Ashton-under-Lyne.

It is believed the protesters were demonstrating against the Eritrean government. Organisers stressed that the festival was not politically connected to the East African nation and was arranged to celebrate road cyclists who had represented the country for years.



The event was attended by hundreds of people, with singing, dancing and appearances from cyclists who featured at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome and 1964 Games in Tokyo.



The festival was supposed to continue throughout Sunday but was cancelled due to the disruption.



Organiser Goitom Seyoum, 48, said: “This had nothing to do with politics – this was purely a celebration of Eritrean cycling. We had African champions here and people who appeared at the Olympics.



“It was a peaceful protest at first and then they barged in throwing bottles, food and beer kegs. It was outrageous – there were children in buggies and people cut and bleeding.



“This was supposed to be a festival but now we leave with a sad feeling. Young children were put in danger by these cowards.”



The eight men arrested were held on suspicion of public order offences.



Ch Insp Andy Harty of Greater Manchester police said: “The vast majority of people attending the event were innocent people, including children, who sadly got caught in the middle of this appalling act of violence.



“Following the fast work of officers, a number of men were arrested at the scene and we will continue to question them as this investigation progresses.



“We are still in the very early stages of inquiries and we are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed this incident.



“In particular we would like people to come forward with phone or dashcam footage that could be vital to finding all those responsible.



“This type of behaviour is completely unacceptable and I want to assure the residents of Tameside that we are doing everything we can to bring any offenders to justice.”



North West Ambulance Service said 12 people, including two teenage girls, had suffered minor injuries.



A 46-year-old woman was taken to hospital after sustaining a cut, which was not believed to be serious.



A spokesperson for Curzon Ashton FC, who play in the National League North, said: “Police inquiries are currently ongoing and no further comment will be made at this time.”