Up to half a million women are thought to have joined a protest march in Washington DC against Donald Trump's presidency - more than the number that attended his inauguration.

Organisers of the Women's March on Washington said in a mission statement that participants were "hurting and scared" as Mr Trump began his term in the White House.

Messages on signs included "The future is female" and "Less fear more love".

Image: Jane Fonda joined protesters in Los Angeles

More than 600 "sister marches" were held in conjunction with the Washington event around the world - including in Sydney, London and other major US cities including Chicago, Atlanta and New York.

There was also a blockbuster turnout in Los Angeles, where an estimated 750,000 demonstrators took to the streets.


Image: Madonna speaks to the crowd in Washington

The massive turnout in the District of Columbia forced organisers to change plans for a formal march on the White House, because there were apparently too many people standing along the route.

Pop star Madonna was one of several celebrities who addressed the crowd.

She said: "Yes I have thought an awful lot about blowing up the White House, but I know that this won't change anything. We cannot fall into despair. We choose love."

Image: More than 500,000 protesters gathered for a march in Washington DC

Ugly Betty star America Ferrera, who helped to organise the event, told those who had gathered: "It's been a heartrending time to be both a woman and an immigrant in this country.

"But the President is not America. His cabinet is not America. Congress is not America. We are America and we are here to stay."

Scarlett Johansson also spoke at the rally, while other celebrities, including Katy Perry and Amy Schumer were expected to attend.

Organisers of a similar event in London said an estimated 100,000 people had taken part.

Thousands of people attend a rally in Trafalgar Square

Women's March London tweeted: "Incredible turn out! We've taken the London streets."

It began at the American Embassy in Grosvenor Square, taking in Park Lane, Piccadilly and Pall Mall before concluding with a rally in Trafalgar Square.

Walking along Piccadilly, the marchers chanted: "Build bridges, not walls."

Slogans on placards included "Dump Trump", "Reject hate, reclaim politics" and "No to racism, no to Trump".

One protester, 32-year-old Kim McInally, held a sign saying: "My p**** is not up for grabs."

"Yesterday was seen as the official start of fascism coming back," she said.

Image: The size of the crowd forced organisers to cancel a formal march in the US capital

"Human rights and human equality is getting pushed further and further down the list."

Megan, from Canada, told Sky News: "I'm marching for my future. I'm marching for the enormous contribution women have made in the past. Most importantly, I'm marching in unison with my sisters across the world."

Iron Man 3 actress Rebecca Hall, who was also among the protesters, said: "Yesterday was a confusing day and a sad day. I was sad to see Obama leave ... We do not know what the Government is going to be like."

Other British cities hosting protests included Manchester, Edinburgh, Belfast, Liverpool and Cardiff.

Just 72 hours after an event was organised in Bristol, more than 1,000 people marched from Queen Square to College Green.

One of the signs read "We Reject The Comb-Over Con".

:: Read more

:: Trump reaches out to intelligence services

:: Theresa May to meet Donald Trump next week

:: 'Dump Trump': Women of the world protest

:: Trump has new to communicate - just like JFK

:: New president aware of power of protest imagery