SUNDAY afternoon traffic was briefly halted on the westbound carriageway of the Second Severn Crossing, as protesters staged a demonstration against the militant Islamic State organisation, IS.

Eyewitnesses reported that the group of Kurdish protesters arrived at the toll booths in a cavalcade of cars – many of which carried banners with anti-IS slogans – which then attracted a large police presence. It was reported that the majority of the protesters were Turkish and Iraqi.

In a statement, Inspector Mikah Hassell of Gwent Police said: "At around 4.20pm on Sunday afternoon, approximately ten vehicles initially stopped for about 15 minutes on the westbound carriageway of the Second Severn Crossing.

"Our officers engaged with them to find out their plans and agreed a safe place for their protest to minimise disruption to motorists. They moved to an agreed area to the side of the toll booths to continue their protests, and they had dispersed by 5.45pm.

"It is important that, in our planning, we balance the rights of protesters with those affected, in this case motorists, all the while ensuring that everybody is kept safe - which is our priority."

"I would like to thank the public for their understanding and patience."

Traffic Wales reported that there were severe delays for drivers between junction 22, for Avonmouth, and junction 23 for Chepstow.

Police liased with the owners and staff of the bridge, to ensure that the toll booths were kept open to facilitate traffic-flow.

Photographs posted on social media websites showed the protester's cars stationary on the carriageway, while the occupants waved placards and banners.

In statements to the media, the organisers said that they were trying to raise awareness of the plight of the Kurdish people in Syria, and the tyranny of the IS organisation.