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Tommy Robinson supporters have been ridiculed for trying to pass off a 13-year-old picture of celebrating Liverpool FC fans as an example of the crowds at their protest in London.

Hundreds of demonstrators descended on the capital on Saturday afternoon in protest against the jailing of the former English Defence League leader for contempt of court. Nine people were arrested after violence broke out, including one for the possession of an offensive weapon.

One image of a thronging crowd packed into a city street was widely shared on social media as a supposed example of the support for Mr Robinson.

In a viral post, Jason Collins wrote: “The left want this picture taken down because it shows the whole of London calling for Tommy Robinson to be released so please don't retweet it.”

But Twitter users were quick to point out that the photo actually dates back to 2005, and instead shows football fans attending Liverpool’s Champions League victory bus parade through the city.

One Liverpudlian commented: "Seriously? You use a picture of St George's Hall on Lime Street in Liverpool. The very location where the EDL were literally laughed out of town to the Benny Hill theme?"

The comment referred to an incident last summer when a planned march by EDL members had to be cut short as anti-fascist protesters blocked them off while playing the Benny Hill theme music.

Hundreds of other comments ridiculed the post, with many sharing images of famous crowds and ironically claiming them as Tommy Robinson protests too.

Saturday’s protest appeared to be the latest in a series of demonstrations in the hope of securing the release of Mr Robinson.

He was jailed for contempt of court after he used social media to broadcast details of a trial which is subject to blanket reporting restrictions.

Leeds Crown Court heard how Robinson filmed himself and people involved in the case, in footage that was watched around 250,000 times within hours of being posted on Facebook.

Robinson, who was listed by his real name Stephen Christopher Yaxley-Lennon on court documents, was sentenced to 13 months in jail on the same day as his arrest.

He was given 10 months in jail for contempt of court, and an additional three months for beaching a previous suspended sentence.

During the protest in central London on Saturday, participants were seen fighting with police, leaving five officers injured.

Five people were arrested, including two for assaulting a police officer.