Police kept watch over two rival groups of demonstrators at a Tibetan peace vigil in Kent on Sunday.

The vigil was organised by the Canterbury Tibet Link who marched from the Cathedral to the steps of the Beaney Institute in Canterbury High Street. Their aim was to highlight the claimed aggression and oppression of Tibet by China.

Up to 100 supporters joined the vigil but police were called when placard-carrying Chinese students from the University of Kent started their own protest.

Sgt John Leslie said: "Both sides were peaceful and although we had not been notified of the Chinese demonstration and could have broken it up, we advised them they could continue if it stayed peaceful. But we remained on the scene to keep a watching brief over it."

Tibet Link spokesman, Caroline Latham said the aim of the vigil was to show support for Tibet and draw attention to the issues.

She said: "We do not have a problem with the Chinese demonstrators but I can’t help feeling their pride has been affected by the world attention on China over the Olympic Games."

Chinese student Jing Yu denied they had been ordered to protest by the Chinese Embassy.

He said: "We are here to show the other side. China has been misrepresented and much of what has been said about our country is untrue and unfair."