Hundreds of Anti-Nazi League supporters gathered in the troubled former mill town of Oldham yesterday following threats of a march by the National Front. The demonstration by the extremist far right group failed to materialise but there was still a heavy police presence on the streets.
At the peak of the Anti-Nazi League rally up to 300 activists from as far afield as Yorkshire and Newcastle congregated outside Oldham Civic Centre. Passing motorists were asked to honk their horns in support of the demonstration, which was addressed by trade unionists and councillors from the local Asian community.
The only sign of trouble came when a driver hurled abuse at the crowd from a silver hatchback car. He was quickly moved on by police. A Greater Manchester police spokeswoman said two white youths were arrested.