MP Charlie Elphicke has said he hopes today’s low turnout of demonstrators means both far right and left groups have finally realised they are not welcome in Dover.

Mr Elphicke, who has been very vocal in his belief that he’d like to see a change in public order legislation which would see police have the power to ban the demonstrations, attended the scene once again.

At least 100 far-right demonstrators were expected to hold an anti-immigration march from Dover Priory Station at 4pm but only around 30 turned up.

Just three anti-fascists were seen counter protesting along the route to the Eastern Docks.

Mr Elphicke said: “What I encourage is that the numbers are clearly dwindling.

“The far right and far left are realising that the town doesn’t want them and that officers will turn up with the correct amount of force needed to ensure proportionate, effective and appropriate policing.”

The small group of ring wing demonstrators travelled via Folkestone Road, York Street, Queen Street, Fishmonger’s Lane, the underpass and Marine Parade promenade to the Eastern Docks roundabout where speeches took place.

At Queen Street, members said they had not agreed to the police’s suggested route and spoke about opposing it before they backed down and proceeded.

They were met by only three left wing demonstrators who stood holding posters reading ‘Decent people oppose fascists’ and ‘Racism hurts everyone’ at different points.

During the far-right speeches made at the Eastern Docks, members burned an EU flag and encouraged people to vote Out in the upcoming referendum.

Paul Pitt from the South East Alliance encouraged members to support their friends who will be appearing in court following alleged crime at previous protests.

He said: “If you can get there, get down to the courts and support them. We are the people.”

They held a minute’s silence for those who didn’t make it back from Dunkirk. It was followed by a round of applause for themselves, for making it to Dover “against all odds.”

Mr Pitt said: “We came here today against all odds, against conditions, against police trying to stop the march.

“We care about what’s happening to our country. There is no tomorrow if we do not stop immigration today.

“It’s our country, our people, our future. Fight for it.”

They chanted no more refugees and get out of our country.

One demonstrator who would only give his first name, Chris, had flown from Germany to take part.

Mr Elphicke said: “We have a situation where there is a demonstration every other month in Dover. It costs the Kent tax payer close to a million pounds because hundreds of officers have to turn out.

“Many of them who have come to Dover previously, now find themselves behind bars which is the best place for them.

“We can tell from their speeches that the message is slowly starting to get through. They are slowly realising that Dover is not the place to come to.”

Mr Elphicke is continuing to make the case to the Home Office for change in public order legislation.

A police spokesman said: “The first part of planned demonstrations by various groups in Dover this weekend has ended peacefully.

“There was a large police presence on the streets of the town with support from other police forces and mounted officers.

“There were two arrests in connection with disturbances during previous demonstrations in Dover on Saturday 30 January 2016. A 33-year-old man from Margate and a 35-year-old man from Dover were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and remain in custody.”

A planned gig in support of the anti-immigration lobby has reportedly been cancelled tonight. Social media postings suggest the Rock Against Immigration gig was scrapped because an informer told police of its location.

Another right-wing march is expected to start at Dover Priory railway station at 4pm, tomorrow.