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A march by right-wing group English Defence League erupted into violence in Liverpool city centre .

There were scenes of chaos as the EDL clashed with anti-fascist protestors, the Merseyside United Against Fascism group, on St George's Plateau with missiles including firecrackers and bottles being thrown in the crowd.

Loud bangs echoed across the plateau as riot police flooded the area outside St George's Hall and were trying to move people back past St John's Market.

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Nearly 200 officers, 25 riot vans, mounted police on horses and officers with dogs were also on the scene at the exchanges between the two groups became heated and bringing the city centre to a standstill.

Tempers flared as anti-fascist protestors chanted 'Nazi scum off our streets' and then later they were sitting on the floor in a bid to stop the EDL march from continuing while police were doing their best to keep the two groups apart.

(Image: James Maloney)

Merseyside Police were advising the public including shoppers and motorists to avoid the area outside Lime Street Station and St George's Hall.

Earlier the EDL marched from Lime Street Station to Derby Square before being met by the Merseyside United Against Fascism group near to the station.

(Image: James Maloney) (Image: Colin Lane)

The far right organisation were slammed for trying to use the Manchester terror attack as an excuse to stir up hatred in Liverpool.

The EDL were been told in no uncertain terms that they were not welcome, by anti-fascist campaigners and city mayor Joe Anderson .

Earlier this week, Mayor Anderson again called on the Government to give him the powers to stop the march from taking place - following violent clashes after a far right march last year.

He told the ECHO: "My first job as leader of this city is to guarantee the safety of the people here and if I can’t do that then I should be given the power to ban outright far right groups like this from coming here - because there is a real danger to public safety.

“I have again written to the Government saying this isn’t about freedom of speech, its about a group that wants to intimidate and bully people.

“These people are not welcome here and they know that - it is frustrating that the government is allowing them to come and not giving me the power to stop them.”

He added: “It will also take up vital resources from the police - who should be focusing on keeping people safe at the moment.”