Violent clashes break out during anti-Islam march in Newcastle city centre with hundreds of far-right protesters met by MP George Galloway leading a rival demonstration

Violent clashes in Newcastle as 400 far-right anti-Islam protesters demonstrate in the city centre

The rally was met by a 2,000-strong counter-protest led by Respect MP George Galloway

Organisers of Pegida demonstration said protest would be peaceful but scuffles soon broke out

Men with bloodied faces could be seen being arrested as far-right protesters jeered at police officers

Pegida anti-Islam movement has swept sections of Europe and started last year in Dresden, Germany

 There were violent crashes on the streets of Newcastle today as hundreds of demonstrators from controversial anti-Islam group Pegida were met by a 2,000-strong counter-protest.

Around 400 people from the far-right group were shouted down by the counter-demonstration, with scuffles breaking out as the rally made its way through the city centre, leading to five arrests.

The demonstrations against the anti-Islam march were led by Respect MP George Galloway who spoke at the counter-rally, branding the far-right protesters a 'German Nazi group'.

rganisers from Pegida insisted the rally would be entirely peaceful, but five people were arrested amid a heavy police presence in Newcastle's city centre. At this stage it is unclear which side the five people were from.

Mr Galloway, MP for Bradford West, addressed the counter-protest: 'All right-thinking people in Britain condemn the idea of a German Nazi group coming to the north east of England trying to stir up trouble.

'The vast majority of British people respect that and the people who are on here on the counter-demonstration are representing millions.