Protesters in Bristol pulled down the controversial statue of a 17th century slave trader - then threw it in the harbour.

The bronze memorial to Edward Colston situated in Bristol city centre since 1895, was torn down after crowds left College Green.

It has been the subject of an 11,000-strong petition to have it removed.

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A protester holds his knee to the neck of a statue of Edward Colston in Bristol Picture: Ben Birchall/PA Wire

Earlier, protestor John McAllister, 71, tore down black bin bags used to hide the statue to denounce it in front of fellow protesters.

He told the PA news agency: "It says 'erected by the citizens of Bristol, as a memorial to one of the most virtuous and wise sons of this city'.

"The man was a slave trader. He was generous to Bristol but it was off the back of slavery and it's absolutely despicable. It's an insult to the people of Bristol."

The city is today hosting the south west's largest Black Lives Matter march.

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A protester holds his knee to the neck of a statue of Edward Colston in Bristol Picture: Ben Birchall/PA Wire

The statue was rolled down the hill and dumped in Bristol harbour.

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Edward Colston's statue is dropped into Bristol harbour Picture: Ben Birchall/PA Wire