SEVEN people have been arrested after a Hampshire march by far-right extremists.

Police were forced to completely close parts of Portsmouth city centre after members of the English Defence Leage attempted to gain access to an area where a rival anti-fascist rally was taking place.

More than 200 officers, including many in riot gear and others on horseback, were drafted in as around 500 people took part in the EDL march, including supporters from across the country.

At the same time, around 200 people gathered in Guildhall Square for a Unite Against Fascism protest, and police successfully put up a cordon including officers and vans to prevent the two groups mixing.

Hampshire police said the marches had passed off peacefully, and the seven arrests, which relate to alleged public order and breach of the peace offences, were all made amongst people related to the EDL side.