A FAR-right march to protest about refugees in Middlesbrough flatlined at the weekend as more police turned up than demonstrators.
A group calling itself Middlesbrough against Mass Immigration - thought to have some links to far-right group the North-East Infidels - organised the march from the Pig Iron pub on Corporation Road in the town on Saturday, but fewer than 30 people took part.
Some had come down from Tyneside and Sunderland to march.
Cleveland Police had been negotiating with protesters ahead of the event and there was a heavy police presence, with riot police and vans in the town centre.
The march passed peacefully and there were no arrests or disturbances.
** Demonstration in Middlesbrough ** A peaceful demonstration in Middlesbrough Centre today. Around 50 attended - no arrests were made.
— Cleveland Police UK (@ClevelandPolice) January 16, 2016
One woman involved took to social media, saying: "It was demoralising and embarrassing to those that took part.
"I am disgusted in the turn-out for the Middlesbrough demonstration... there were more police than feet on the street."
In the town centre anti-racism campaigners from Teesside Against Racism, Islamophobia and Fascism (TARIF), as well as groups including Street Solidarity, Teesside Solidarity Movement and the Teesside People's Assembly, held a counter-protest to show solidarity for refugees who have made their home in Middlesbrough.
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