Two held in ice cream protest

Police made two arrests during the protest

Two ice cream van drivers have been arrested as they protested over the shortage of places they can legally sell their wares in central London.

The demonstration by 30 vans brought traffic from Downing Street to Trafalgar Square to a standstill.

The drivers are angry that Westminster City Council limits them to seven pitches and refuses to issue any more permits.

A council spokeswoman said the pitches and permits were limited in order to stop the clogged roads becoming even more congested.

Police said the vans had their music blaring

The spokeswoman said: "There are seven [pitches] but they want more.

"Nothing has changed - they are just doing a bit of lobbying."

One of the drivers, John Bonnar, 38, claimed two drivers had been dragged from their vehicles and were held down by officers.

Scotland Yard said the two men had been arrested - one for obstruction and the other for breach of the peace.

Driving slowly

Mr Bonnar said the vendors wanted licences but were being denied them.

The drivers congregated at the London Eye by the River Thames to wait to see if their colleagues would be released.

A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said police were called to an incident involving ice cream vans driving slowly around Parliament Square at 1118 BST.

Police reported that about 18 vans were driving four abreast outside the Houses of Parliament with music blaring.