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A European Union flag has been set on fire as crowds gather in central London hours before a planned Brexit celebration.
A man, draped in a Union Jack flag, was cheered on as the flag went up in flames close to Downing Street.
The crowd also jeered at around 300 pro-EU demonstrators who were walking from Downing Street to the office of the European Commission in London.
Police were seen forming a line to keep the two groups apart.
The pro-Brexit supporters sung “shame on you, shame on you”, “losers, losers” and “bye, bye EU” to the tune of Auld Lang Syne.
Meanwhile, dozens of people gathered around the Sir Winston Churchill statue on Parliament Square with at least one person dressed up as the former Prime Minister.
A music system was also been set up inside the back of a lorry on Parliament Street, with people dancing in a closed-off section of the street to music by Sir Tom Jones and Queen.
As one man walked through the crowd with an EU flag draped over his shoulders, another man carrying the Union flag shouted at him: “Go away loser.”
A modified Victorian cart featuring a small church bell and drum was responsible for much of the noise in Parliament Square.
Called Little Ben, the cart belongs to David and Nancy Waller, who have travelled down from Shropshire to take part in the Brexit Celebration.
Brexit Day at Parliament Square – In pictures
1/17
Anti-Brexit protesters in Parliament Square, London
PA
2/17
Police presence at anti-Brexit protests in Parliament Square, London
PA
3/17
The Winston Churchill statue and Union flags in Parliament Square, London
PA
4/17
Pro Brexit supporters hold placards at Parliament Square as people prepare for Brexit
Getty Images
5/17
A man carries an EU themed wreath at Parliament Square
Reuters
6/17
Anti-Brexit demonstrators in Parliament Square, London, ahead of the UK leaving the European Union
PA
7/17
Pro Brexit supporters hold placards at Parliament Square as people prepare for Brexit
Getty Images
8/17
A man wears a President, Donald Trump mask and holds an American flag at Parliament Square as people prepare for Brexit
Getty Images
9/17
People hold placards in Parliament Square opposite the Houses of Parliament in London
AFP via Getty Images
10/17
A man holds up a President, Donald Trump, American flag at Parliament Square as people prepare for Brexit
Getty Images
11/17
A Red Viking apple with the Union Jack is displayed and given out for free to promote British produce as an Anti-Brexit demonstrator waves the European Union flag in Parliament Square
AP
12/17
Joseph Afrane in Westminster
Jeremy Selwyn
13/17
Pro-EU anti-Brexit protesters hold placards in Parliament Square
AFP via Getty Images
14/17
A man takes a photo of political artist Kaya Mar’s paintings in Parliament Square
Getty Images
15/17
A man in an oversized ‘Keep America Great’ hat and draped with a US flag holds a Union Flag in Parliament Square opposite the Houses of Parliament
AFP via Getty Images
16/17
A woman holds a newspaper at Parliament Square
Reuters
17/17
A woman wears a face mask in Parliament Square
PA
1/17
Anti-Brexit protesters in Parliament Square, London
PA
2/17
Police presence at anti-Brexit protests in Parliament Square, London
PA
3/17
The Winston Churchill statue and Union flags in Parliament Square, London
PA
4/17
Pro Brexit supporters hold placards at Parliament Square as people prepare for Brexit
Getty Images
5/17
A man carries an EU themed wreath at Parliament Square
Reuters
6/17
Anti-Brexit demonstrators in Parliament Square, London, ahead of the UK leaving the European Union
PA
7/17
Pro Brexit supporters hold placards at Parliament Square as people prepare for Brexit
Getty Images
8/17
A man wears a President, Donald Trump mask and holds an American flag at Parliament Square as people prepare for Brexit
Getty Images
9/17
People hold placards in Parliament Square opposite the Houses of Parliament in London
AFP via Getty Images
10/17
A man holds up a President, Donald Trump, American flag at Parliament Square as people prepare for Brexit
Getty Images
11/17
A Red Viking apple with the Union Jack is displayed and given out for free to promote British produce as an Anti-Brexit demonstrator waves the European Union flag in Parliament Square
AP
12/17
Joseph Afrane in Westminster
Jeremy Selwyn
13/17
Pro-EU anti-Brexit protesters hold placards in Parliament Square
AFP via Getty Images
14/17
A man takes a photo of political artist Kaya Mar’s paintings in Parliament Square
Getty Images
15/17
A man in an oversized ‘Keep America Great’ hat and draped with a US flag holds a Union Flag in Parliament Square opposite the Houses of Parliament
AFP via Getty Images
16/17
A woman holds a newspaper at Parliament Square
Reuters
17/17
A woman wears a face mask in Parliament Square
PA
Mr Waller, 59, said the cart cost about £500 to restore and build, thanks to a “Brexiteer” blacksmith who donated his services for free.
He said the bell, which people have been ringing throughout the evening, was found in a salvage yard but was originally forged at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry in London.
Mr Waller said: “We have come here because we are great supporters of democracy. At one stage we thought it was all over, but it ain’t now.”
