Thousands of protesters are demonstrating in London today to mark May Day.

The Met police have warned major businesses in the City of the potential for violent protests, and some businesses have taken precautions such as boarding up shop windows.

However, police said there had been little trouble at protest actions this morning.

Groups gathered outside several chain stores and businesses, but only one arrest has been made so far.

During May Day protests in 2000, a McDonalds restaurant was ransacked, along with several other businesses.

A website set up by May Day protesters has published a list of multinational businesses in central London, saying they are "sites for inspection."

Protesters are planning demonstrations outside Lockheed Martin and Shell oil this afternoon.

A march by the TUC will converge at Trafalgar Square.

The Met has deployed 4000 officers across the city, and set up a dedicated operations centre to control the policing effort, named Operation Benbow.

Nearly 100 people were arrested during May Day in 2001, with 54 arrested for various offences last year.

May 1, 2003 13:30