Men deny burning poppies on Armistice Day in Kensington

Two men have pleaded not guilty to accusations of burning poppies at a protest on Armistice Day.

Both Mohammed Haque, 30, of Bethnal Green, and Amdadur Choudhury, 26, of Spitalfields, east London, denied the charge under the Public Order Act.

The City of Westminster Magistrates' Court heard the pair caused "alarm and distress" when they allegedly burned models of poppies on 11 November.

The incident occurred during a protest in Kensington, west London.

Mr Haque, of Mace Street, and Mr Choudhury, of Hunton Street, were granted unconditional bail.

They are due to return to the court for another hearing on 12 January, before their trial begins on 23 February.

The court heard the men had used threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

Prosecutor Malachy Pakenham said: "It is a matter of so-called protest. They burned poppies on Armistice Day, it is as straightforward as that.

"Our case is that they did cause alarm and distress to the persons that witnessed this."