The authorities in Nepal say police have killed at least nine people in a gunbattle with Maoist rebels, after officials tried to prevent a cultural show they organised from going ahead.

Some reports say only two of the killed were rebels, the others were civilians caught in the cross-fire.

The clash occurred in a village Thaku three-hundred-and-sixty kilometers west of the Nepalese capital Kathmandu.

Reports say the rebels frequently use cultural shows to win support.

Less than two weeks ago nine policemen were killed by the militants in another district in western Nepal.

More than a thousand people have been killed since the Maoist campaign began four years ago -- talks with opposition parties are due to start soon on ending it.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service