Peace protestors who occupied a derelict building in the centre of Bristol for 12 hours have been evicted by bailiffs.

The bailiffs smashed their way into the building near the Council House, which had been occupied since 0700 GMT on Friday by an unknown number of people from anti-war and housing action groups.

They said the money being spent on the war could be spent instead on housing in the city.

The eviction happened on the eve of the anti-war march in London, which will be attended by protesters travelling in 66 coaches from Bristol.

Jo Boyd, organiser of the Stop the War coalition in the city, said: "We probably could have filled another 20 coaches.

"We have had people coming in constantly - the phones have not stopped ringing."