[Smithy]

Hundreds of activists have descended on Hyde Park in central London to protest the wearing of face coverings.

Demonstrators raised signs reading 'I will be not be masked, tested, tracked' and 'no mask' as they gathered for the Keep Britain Free march from 1pm.

One man wore a plague doctor costume, another had a mask with the front ripped out and one donned a vest saying: 'Save human rights. No to 5G. No to vaccinations.'

The protest was to counter the government announcement that masks must be worn in shops from July 24, which organisers branded a 'liberty-sapping regulation'.

The march, which started in Speaker's Corner and moved to Marble Arch, also looked to repel 'the erosion of freedoms in the UK' brought in during lockdown.

It comes as the UK government toughened its stance on the wearing of face coverings in public places.

Passengers have to use them on public transport and they will be made compulsory in shops and supermarkets in England from July 24.

Rule breakers will be hit with a £100 which can be reduced to £50 if paid within a fortnight.

Oh well, if they end up on their deathbed it’s their own fault