In the Danish city of Copenhagen, nearly all the 968 rioters who were arrested for disrupting the beginning of a demonstration by climate activists on Saturday have been released.

The rioters threw fireworks, smashed windows and clashed with police in spite of calls by the rally organisers to remain calm and friendly during the march. The main demonstration, in which 40,000 people took part, passed peacefully.

The demonstrators urged delegates at the UN climate change summit to agree on tough measures to prevent global warming. Some carried banners with the text "There is no planet B". The summit lasts until Friday.

Photo of climate change demonstration in Copenhagen by ANP