Three men arrested on suspicion of committing racially aggravated public order offences at a protest staged by members of the English Defence League have been released on bail.

Around 30 people took part in the demonstration in Chelmsford city centre on Saturday, a spokesman for Essex Police said.

The protest started at around 2.30pm and was contained by police outside Shire Hall.

The men were arrested at around 3pm on suspicion of committing a racially aggravated public order offence.

A 35-year-old man from Rochester in Kent, a 19-year-old man from Dagenham and an 18-year-old man from Yateley in Hampshire, were bailed today and ordered to return to an Essex police station on September 9.

Essex Police received no prior notification that the demonstration would be taking place.

The protest was concluded by 4.30pm, police said.