HONG KONG CITY 15 Sep (ANA) - Police in Hong Kong have used water cannon and tear gas against protesters throwing petrol bombs and bricks near government offices in the city.

The violence broke out after thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators marched in defiance of a police ban.

Earlier hundreds rallied outside the British Consulate, demanding the UK press China to maintain freedoms guaranteed during the 1997 handover.

Months of unrest were sparked by a now-scrapped extradition bill.

It would have made it possible for people in Hong Kong to be extradited to mainland China, where critics say they could face human rights abuses.

Earlier this month the bill was finally withdrawn - but protesters continue to call for full democracy and an investigation into allegations of police brutality.

Reports say some protesters threw bricks at police outside China's People's Liberation Army base, which is near to the Hong Kong parliament and government offices.

They also set fire to a banner proclaiming the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Reuters news agency reported.

Protesters used umbrellas - symbols of the 2014 wave of protests - to protect themselves against water cannon 

One water cannon truck caught fire after being hit by a petrol bomb, Reuters said. 

One of the water cannon was firing blue jets of water, which have been used elsewhere in the world to identify protesters later.(ANA)

FA/ANA/15 September 2019-------