Gay rights groups and activists pressed ahead with the Istanbul Pride parade on Sunday despite Turkish authorities banning the event for a fourth year in a row.

Around 1,000 people gathered near the city’s famous Istiklal Avenue and Taksim Square where organisers had wanted to originally hold the parade.

The activists unfolded a large rainbow flag while a press statement was read out amid heavy security in the area.

But police then warned activists to disperse and used rubber bullets against some who tried to access Istiklal Avenue.

Amnesty International in Turkey later said on Twitter that 11 people had been detained as it called on police to "immediately" release them. The human rights group also said tear gas had been used against some activists.