Police have monitored a rally by the English Defence League in an Essex coastal town.

A spokesman for Essex Police said the force was not aware of the demonstration until an off-duty police and community support officer spotted some of those involved at Clacton’s rail station.

The 20-strong group occupied an area of Pier Avenue from around 1.50pm until the last demonstrator left at 5pm.

“This has been finished and dealt with,” the spokesman said.

“The 20 demonstrators raised a few flags. There were no scuffles and no arrests.”

A post put up on the EDL’s Clacton-on-Sea Facebook website said: “To everyone who helped us today and the public of this great British town. We are here for the public and we will never surrender!”