Protesters stage blockade as AfD holds conference before German elections

Heavy police presence in place as far-right party meets in Saxony to finalise details of campaign platform

Thousands of people have demonstrated against a convention of the far-right Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) as political parties launched their campaigns for the country's election next month.

A heavy police presence was in place in Riesa - in the eastern state of Saxony, an AfD stronghold - and officers cleared some protesters from the streets. However, the two-day convention started a little more than two hours late as many delegates' trips to the venue were slowed by blockades.