DORSET poll tax protestors took to the streets in April 1990.

Despite protests in London erupting in riots just day before, the marches in Bournemouth and Blandford were good humoured – with balloons, fancy dress and music.

Many of those in pictured had been in the capital that day.

A spokeswoman for the East Dorset Anti-Poll Tax Union said nobody from Poole, Christchurch or Bournemouth were hurt during the riots in London, or even involved in the violence. "We had agreed that at the first sign of any trouble we would leave, and that's what we did," she said.