A FORMER Parliamentary candidate from York has been assaulted at the Conservative Party conference.

Robert McIlveen, who ran for the York Central seat, was attacked by a female protester in Manchester while trying to avoid the crowds.

He told The Press: "I'm fine, a bit shaken. It's not every day you get hit walking down the street.

"I was trying to be clever and go round the block to avoid the protesters, and found myself in a quiet street. I saw two people in front of me being hassled and a woman just walked up to me and asked if I was a Quaker or not. When I said no, she hit me in the head."

Mr McIlveen said he was struck in the back of the head by the woman, and left the scene to find nearby police officers to report the assault.

He said: "As I understand it, she's been arrested for religiously aggravated assault. This is my tenth party conference. The protests have always been rowdy, but non-violent before. It's obviously not something Labour Party members do, seems to be an anti-everything, anarchist, not necessarily a political thing."

Police made four arrests after an estimated 60,000 people took part in a demonstration in protest at Government policies as the conference opened.

Chief Superintendent John O'Hare of Greater Manchester Police said: "Today around 60,000 people took part in a demonstration and I would like to thank them for their cooperation.

"The overwhelming majority of people have exercised their democratic right to protest with dignity and good grace.

"The fact that only four arrests have been made throughout the day so far was particularly pleasing."

Although the majority of protesters were well behaved, a series of journalists complained of being spat at while one conference-goer was hit by an egg.

A growing crowd of anti-Tory demonstrators gathered around the security gates into the conference, shouting "Tory scum" and "murderers" as people walked in.

Dozens of police officers, some on horseback, were seeking to prevent any physical confrontations between the groups outside the Midland Hotel.

A protester was arrested after Huffington Post journalist Owen Bennett was spat at, with TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady labelling the behaviour "inexcusable".

Jeremy Corbyn, who is breaking with convention for an Opposition leader tomorrow by speaking at a protest meeting happening alongside the conference, has appealed to those taking part to keep it peaceful.

Union leaders and officials from campaign groups including CND addressed a rally in the city centre before leading the procession.

Singer Billy Bragg warmed up the growing crowd with a set on stage, changing the lyrics to his best-known songs to add topical references such as "take the money from Trident and spend it on the NHS" and "these Tory cuts will get me the sack".

The rally began in bright sunshine - with many holding banners from the country's biggest trade union Unite.

A variety of slogans featured on mass-produced and home-made placards, including Cut War Not Welfare, Don't Bomb Syria, No Cuts and Divine Discontent, Divine Disobedience.

Several costumes and banners featured images of pigs, poking fun at Prime Minister David Cameron over allegations made in a controversial biography about a bizarre student ritual.

Unite general secretary Len McCluskey told the rally the protest was "sending a very clear message to this Tory Government" that they faced a fightback.