Supporters of the Ku Klux Klan drove through a North Carolina market town on Saturday in what they said was a show of support for Donald Trump and his presidency.

They gave Nazi salutes and shouted “White power” as they thundered through Roxboro in the middle of the afternoon.

The open display by a movement condemned as a hate group illustrates the way many believe Mr Trump’s election win – after a campaign in which he promised to ban foreign Muslims from entering the country, ridiculed a disabled reporter and described Mexicans as rapists and drug smugglers – had unleashed dark forces.

Watchdogs have reported a surge in hate crimes since Mr Trump pulled off an improbable win in the early hours of 9 November.

KKK officers gave journalists and opponents the runaround all day to avoid the threat of counter-demonstrations.

The 30-strong convoy appeared at about 3pm in Roxboro, flying Confederate flags.

Several men, dressed in black shirts festooned with patches declaring them members of the “Secret Empire” gave Nazi salutes as they drove up Main Street to the shock of passers-by.

Amanda Barker, part of the husband and wife team that runs the KKK’s North Carolina chapter, said members wanted to be part of Mr Trump’s win.