Thousands of photographers flocked to central London to protest against police stop-and-search tactics.

Trafalgar Square was lit up by an array of flash bulbs as part of a demonstration to express rising tensions against police use of terror laws to stop photographers taking pictures.

Freelance photographer and writer Marc Vallee, who helped organise the protest with appeals on Twitter and Facebook, said frustrations with police surrounded the scope of Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

Mr Vallee, 41, said he was "delighted" by the turnout, estimated at more than 2,000 professional and amateur photographers.

He said: "It's quite surreal today but we are pleased with the support. It's quite obvious that professional photographers across the country are being searched because they are photographers not because they are suspicious.

"It's a common-law right to take pictures in public places and we are here to show that."