A May Day protest is planned tomorrow at York railway station - but it is expected to pass off peacefully, in stark contrast to those planned in London.

Members and supporters of the York Socialist Alliance will gather outside the station at 7.45am to collect signatures on a petition calling for public transport to be taken back into public ownership.

Leaflets outlining the case for public ownership will also be distributed to rail passengers and workers.

Frank Ormston, Socialist Alliance prospective parliamentary candidate for York, said: "Anyone who wants the railways nationalised should come to the station and join the protest. It is an appropriate focus for activity on May Day, which is traditionally international workers' day."

It is expected to be a low-key event, with few people attending.

In London, police could resort to using rubber bullets if riots break out, it has emerged.

Leave has been cancelled and more than 6,000 officers from City of London, British Transport and Metropolitan Police are being deployed.

Latest police intelligence suggests that there will be 1,000 people intent on causing disruption and between 6,000 and 10,000 people in total.

London Mayor Ken Livingstone warned that organisers of anti-capitalist demonstrations had no interest in keeping the event peaceful.

Updated: 11:19 Monday, April 30, 2001