Protesters scatter paint on Tower Bridge during London Marathon and are detained

Two people have been arrested for throwing powder paint on Tower Bridge as the men’s elite runners were passing during the 45th edition of the London Marathon.

A group called Youth Demand said two of its supporters jumped over the barriers and threw the substance on the bridge at about 10:35 BST.

The Metropolitan Police said a member of London Marathon event staff intervened to remove the protesters from the path of the men’s elite race, which was able to pass unobstructed moments later.

Police also said the paint "appears to be chalk-based and is not expected to present a hazard to runners yet to pass this point".

Police arrested the protesters on suspicion of causing a public nuisance and they remain in custody.

An image shared by the group shows two people standing in the middle of the road wearing T-shirts that said: "Youth Demand: Stop Arming Israel."