Sussex Police have said they were pleased with the results of their operation to keep the peace at today's March For England in Brighton.

About 300 people in total took part in the march and counter-demonstrations between Brighton railway station and Victoria Gardens.

There were a total of eight arrests.

Superintendent Steve Whitton, of Sussex Police, said: "I am pleased with how the policing of today's protest marches has gone.

"Having had dialogue with the organisers of March of England in the run up to today's demonstrations enabled us to establish their intentions which were adhered to and in turn minimilised disruption to the city.

"Unfortunatley the counter-protesters did not engage with us and therefore it was necessary to have support from neighbouring police forces and British Transport Police."

He said police would remain on the streets tonight in case of any trouble later on.

Early in the day, Sussex Police used section 14 of the Public Order Act to try to manage the counter-demonstrators, ordering them to stop blocking Queen’s Road, and to gather at Victoria Gardens.

The law makes it an offence not to demonstrate in a specified area if police believe there is a risk of violence, criminal damage or disruption.

Two Brighton men aged 48 and 54 and a 20-year-old man from Worthing were arrested on suspicion of refusing to protest in a designated area under that law.

A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said the law was also used to arrest a 23-year-old man on suspicion of refusing to leave an area when told to do so by officers, and a 43-year-old man for “allegedly antagonising opposing protesters”.

A 23-year-old man from Brighton was arrested on suspicion of affray. A 21-year-old man from Fareham, Hampshire, was arrested on suspicion of using offensive language in a public place.

A 23-year-old London man was arrested on suspicion of common assault, after allegedly spitting at another man.