The organiser of a protest in Manchester over the government's proposed pay rise of workers has been fined £10,000.

A crowd of around 40 people gathered in St Peter's Square, Manchester City Centre, around noon today to protest the 1 per cent pay rise for NHS workers.

The protest was organised by health workers but was quickly shut down by police in the city centre.

Police say the protest was against current lockdown legislation and most people were dispersed.

The organiser of the event, a 61-year-old woman, was issued with a £10,000 Fixed Penalty Notice with another 65-year-old woman given a £200 penalty notice for failing to provide details when asked.

Superintendent Caroline Hemingway said: "With the positive step of schools reopening tomorrow, it is vital that people continue to follow Government legislation on social distancing and avoid gathering illegally in large numbers.

"Regardless of one's sympathies for a protest's cause, we would ask the public to maintain social distancing  and follow legislation to prevent a rise in infections and provide the best possible chance of a further easing of restrictions in the weeks to come.

"We sought to engage with and peaceably disperse those attending this afternoon's protest, explaining that the gathering was in contravention of Government lockdown rules.

"Unfortunately officers were met with a degree of non-compliance and it was therefore necessary to enforce issue FPNs."