POLICE praised a demonstration of thousands in Bolton against bloodshed in Palestine after it passed peacefully.

The ranks of Muslims led a "silent" protest in memory of the dozens of civilians killed in the Israeli occupied lands in the Middle East.

But despite the anger felt by Muslims in Bolton, police said it was one of the calmest and best organised demonstrations every held.

Police say about 1,500 people marched from Zakariya mosque in Derby Street to Victoria Square.

But organisers claim up to 5,000 congregated at the mosque before the march.

A petition of thousands of signatures was handed over to Bolton North East MP David Crausby.