Black Lives Matter protestors gathered at a controversial statue in Chester city centre.

The group protested on Saturday at the statue of known slave owner Field Marshal Stapleton Cotton, 1st Viscount Combermere (1773-1865), who received compensation of more than £7,000 for the liberation of 420 slaves in the Caribbean when slavery was abolished in 1833.

Chester and District Standard: Credit - Sam Warrenger. Credit - Sam Warrenger.

And over 100 Black Lives Matter protestors gathered around the statue of the celebrated cavalry officer, diplomat and politician, placing placards on it with the words 'Slave owner' and 'Black Lives Matter' written on them.

The Standard reported in June that a petition had been launched for the statue's removal, and that a subsequent counter-petition was also launched for the "iconic" Chester city centre statue to be kept where it is.

The statue, which sits on the traffic island on Grosvenor Road between the HQ building and the entrance to Chester Crown Court, received Grade 2* listed status in 1972.

Chester and District Standard: Credit - Sam Warrenger. Credit - Sam Warrenger.