Protesters have clashed with police at a rally in Merseyside, with missiles reportedly thrown and a police vehicle damaged.

Video posted on social media shows officers with riot shields arriving at the scene, while another appears to show a police van on fire.

Labour MP Sir George Howarth said the demonstrations were outside the Suites Hotel and that people were protesting against refugees.

He said: “We condemn the violence outside the Suites Hotel tonight.

“We call for calm and for all the community not to engage in any way in this violence and call on everyone concerned to show constraint.”

In a statement, Merseyside Police said: “We can confirm that officers are in Prescot dealing with two groups of protesters this evening, Friday 10 February.

“At around 6.30pm, officers were facilitating an initially peaceful protest and counter-protest on Ribblers Lane.

“During the evening, missiles have reportedly been thrown and damage caused to a police vehicle. No injuries have been reported at this time.

“Additional officers are in the area to deal with these incidents. We have also implemented a number of road closures on the East Lancs Road and would urge motorists to avoid the area and those in the area to disperse.”

Refugee charity Care4Calais said some of its team were involved in a counter-demonstration outside the hotel.

In a post on Twitter, the charity said: “We are terrified. The police seem to have lost control and there is a danger people are going to be seriously hurt.”

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