A demonstration by the Scottish Defence League in Glasgow was met by hundreds of counter-protesters who told the group: "We welcome refugees."

Around 80 people gathered in George Square for the SDL-organised event where there was a heavy police presence, including mounted units.

Metal barriers and a row of officers separated the group from around 350 counter-protesters who condemned them as "pathetic racists".

The SDL group held branded flags and signs with the words Homes For heroes, Not Immigrants, Stop Foreign Aid, Look After Our Own People and No More Mosques.

They chanted "Refugees go home" and one of the group addressed the counter-protesters on a loudspeaker, telling them: "You put Syria before Scots."

He told the demonstrators: "There are 35,000 families in Scotland that are homeless and you want to bring more people here."

Representatives from the STUC, Unite Against Fascism, the Scottish Greens, Communist Party, Scottish Refugee Council and the Glasgow Campaign to Welcome Refugees gathered in the city centre from noon and heard from a number of speakers before the SDL group arrived around an hour later.

Glasgow MSP Sandra White told the counter-protesters: "They will not get a welcome here, not in Glasgow and not in Scotland.

"Everyone here should be applauded for standing up against racism."

The SDL group remained in the square for around 35 minutes before moving on.