Tensions rose in Dover this afternoon as more than 100 demonstrators clashed at a rally over the continued small boats crisis.

A heavy police presence was visible in the port town after members of far-right groups took to the streets with chants such as "stop the invasion" and "Lefty scum off our streets".

They were met by members of anti-racist groups, who had descended on Dover in anticipation of the turnout of extremists.

They counteracted with their own chants including "refugees are welcome here, racists are not".

Video taken towards the end of the march shows someone being pushed and banners being pulled down.

In one clip, a police officer is gesturing for one crowd to move back.

It is also reported eggs were thrown.

The march had taken place from the train station and along the A20 and surrounding roads, with officers seen forming a human chain at one point across Woolcomber Street, close to the St James' retail park.

By 3.30pm, the march appeared to have come to an end, with members from the right gathering in Market Square to hear speeches.

Alek Yerbury, 27, of Yorkshire Veteran Patriots, told KentOnline: “I’ve come down from up north today because recently I’ve been involved with a lot of these demonstrations, whether it’s against illegal immigration or whether it’s against the issue of migrant hotels.

“The issue is of the illegal migration, the channel crossings, and Dover is the stopping point.

“The issue that we have is that if we don’t do anything, these problems never get solved.

“The only thing that we can do to actually get a platform and get our point across is by doing things like this, and from what I can see it has gone without any major incident.”

Police confirmed no arrests had taken place, and no incidents of disorder were reported.

Earlier in the day and before the march, members of the pro-asylum seeker groups had also come together in Market Square, where speeches were also held.

Among them was Steve Wilkins, 70, who fears "the far right trying to exploit people’s fears over immigration and refugees".

“This is a whole group of anti-racists from across Kent who organised this event," he said.

"The far right will keep coming back otherwise.

"What they’re here for is to build local support."

Thanet councillor Aram Rawf, who arrived in the UK 23 years ago as an asylum seeker, also attended the counter-demonstration.

He said: “It's important to show the people who come to this country that not everybody’s a racist, not everybody hates those who flee their country to be safe.

“I believe the far right do not represent the British people - they represent their own ideology.”

Others from the Stand up to Racism group could be seen holding signs saying "refugees welcome here" and "stop scapegoating migrants".

But Dover resident, Garry Wilkins, 67, wasn’t happy with the presence of any protestors.

“This town is going to be a bloody powder keg soon,” he said.

“I’m not a racist, I’ve no sympathy with the extreme right wing, but there is local concern with immigration in this town.

“If this lot [counter protestors] were to walk through the town and speak to the general public they’d find out how strong the concern is.

“I think a lot of people are just jumping on the bandwagon like with anything.

“This lot do not represent local concerns.”

Dover has frequently been visited by anti-immigration campaigners over the years, as those arriving in small boats are usually brought to an initial processing centre in the town.

A number of police cars were seen stationed in a school car park this morning ahead of the demonstrations.

Officials from the force have told residents and visitors to expect to "see extra officers throughout the town today".

"They are there to provide a proportionate response to potential protests and deal with any issues which may arise," a police spokesman added.

"We are working with our partners to keep people safe and minimise any disruption."

MP Natalie Elphicke warned this morning that Dover "will yet again be subject to protests by political extremists".

The Conservative said: "Marches and counter marches over illegal immigration are disruptive and unwelcome.

"We cannot risk the kind of violence we have seen with previous marches of this kind.

"Residents and businesses have been in touch with me concerned about the disruption and its impact on the town.

"Both sides should stay at home and let everyone else go about their daily lives in peace - including being able to do the Saturday shopping.

"The cost and problems that come with these marches is excessive. I will be backing the public order bill when it comes back to Parliament next week."

Tensions have been further heightened by the arrests of four teenage boys - understood to be Afghan asylum seekers - for the suspected rape of a local schoolgirl last month.

Pupils have taken part in a number of protests, but following a "thorough investigation" police say they have found no evidence of an assault taking place, and have released all four suspects without charge.

Last October, three incendiary devices were thrown at the reception centre at the Western Jet Foil in Dover.

The suspect, Andrew Leak, 66, was found dead a short distance away and police believe he was motivated by extreme terrorist ideology.

Dover has been the setting of several heavily policed marches over the years by far-right groups because of the continuing asylum-seeker crisis.

But on January 30, 2016, the confrontation between the two sides turned into full-scale rioting.

At one stage there was a pitched battle with the rival factions at either end of Effingham Street throwing stones at each other.

By the time investigations concluded in June 2018, 64 people were convicted and total jail sentences, some of which were suspended, added up to 85 years.

Today's went ahead despite concerns it falls on the same weekend as the commemoration of the Herald of Free Enterprise shipping tragedy.