Water cannon unleashed on protesters

GERMAN police have used water cannons to disperse protesters who tried to block access to a centre where a nationalist party is holding a convention.

Clashes between police and protesters briefly delayed the opening of the Alternative for Germany’s gathering in Hannover.

The number of protesters swelled to about 6,500 later on, the German news agency dpa reported.

They marched through the city chanting slogans against the party, which won seats in parliament for the first time this year.

Several police officers and one protester were injured, while 10 protesters were temporarily detained.

Alternative for Germany, known as AfD, received almost 13% of the vote in the last federal election, making it the third strongest party in the Bundestag.

The party promoted an anti-immigrant message but its best-known figure abruptly quit the party.

Co-chairwoman Frauke Petry said AfD was flirting with far-right extremism she didn’t want to support.