Police prepare for city demo

The demonstrators promise a party atmosphere

Police in Edinburgh have pledged to minimise any problems which might result from a demonstration in the city on Saturday.

Reclaim the Streets campaigners - who believe in direct action on social, economic and ecological matters - are holding a rally in Scotland's capital.

A spokeswoman for Lothian and Borders Police said: "We are aware of the demonstration and will have plans in place to respond positively as we always do.

"We usually work with organisers of demonstrations so that they can make their protest while limiting inconvenience to the public.

The public have been urged to use public transport

"This protest is being staged without discussing the arrangements with us but we will have appropriate arrangements in place to deal with anything which interrupts the life of the city."

She added: "There could be congestion in the city centre and anyone who is planning on coming into town may be wiser to use public transport than risk getting caught up in congestion."

The event starts in Bristo Square and Festival Square at 1500BST on Saturday.

Organisers are encouraging participants to put on fancy dress and to bring musical instruments, refreshments and banners.

Reclaim the Streets can trace its roots back to the early 1980s when anarchists first turned their attention to the City of London with the Stop the City and Bash the Rich protests.

RTS first surfaced under its own name in 1995 with a demonstration in Camden, north London.

Their method of protest - turning "the streets" into playgrounds - became its hallmark of later protests around the country.