Police clashed with Halloween revellers as they tried to close down an illegal rave in Hoborn, central London.

The disused building used to be a parcel sorting office, according to local residents living nearby and was advertised as being secure.

The party-goers, many in fancy dress, took over the building on Saturday night with the party still in full swing throughout Sunday.

When police officers tried to move the party on they had bricks and bottles thrown at them. Officers decided to change tactic and contain the party instead, watching from a distance to make sure there was no trouble.

Police arrested eight people after the initial stand-off and a number of buildings and vehicles were damaged.

Some party-goers claimed the police, who at first attempted to stop them accessing the building, were overly aggressive.

Organisers said in the face of the economic crisis, unemployment and homelessness, raves like this, which were common in the late 1980s, were likely to see a resurgence.