Two men have been arrested after hundreds of demonstrators gathered for a protest against coronavirus restrictions in Newcastle city centre.
Activists and anti-vaxxers opposing Covid-19 vaccinations, lockdowns and social distancing held a rally outside Newcastle Civic Centre on Saturday afternoon.
Participants were seen waving signs with slogans such as "Scamdemic lies - No virus" and "I'm Tier Free".
Other placards read "Take your freedom back" and "I will not ever comply".
There was a heavy police presence, including officers on horseback, throughout the demonstration.
The protest appeared to be peaceful, although pictures taken at the event showed people stood in close proximity without wearing face coverings.
Newcastle City Council leader Nick Forbes highlighted the scenes in a reply to a Tweet sent by Piers Morgan, in which the ITV star hit out at conspiracy theories peddled by those he dubbed the "scamdemic brigade".
"We had a crowd of them flooding into Newcastle today for a protest," wrote the Labour politician.
"Covid denying, anti-mask wearing idiots, refusing to observe social distancing and therefore putting our residents at greater risk".
The event unfolded on what was the final Saturday before Christmas, with thousands of shoppers already in the packed city centre.
Northumbria Police has now revealed that two men, aged 60 and 50, were arrested on suspicion of failing to comply with a Section 14 notice.
They have since been charged with a public assembly offence and will appear at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court next year.
A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "We can confirm two men – aged 60 and 50 - were arrested on suspicion of failing to comply with a Section 14 notice that outlined where and when the protest could be held.
"They have since been charged with a public assembly offence and will appear at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court in the New Year.
"There were no other significant issues or disruption as a result of the event and it passed peacefully."
