Police use pepper spray on Bush protesters

US riot police have fired pepper spray at hundreds of protesters demonstrating against George W Bush.

Police used the spray after the protesters refused to move from an area near a hotel where Mr Bush was attending a fundraiser.

Protesting against the administration's foreign policy, the crowd chanted: "Drop Bush, Not Bombs".

But many were protesting against a new forest initiative announced earlier in the day by Mr Bush.

The new policy would make it easier for timber companies to cut wood from fire-prone national forests. Mr Bush claims logging helps stop fires.

Protesters hammered on the bonnets of police cars as pepper spray wafted through the air.

Supporters of Mr Bush in formal attire were jostled and taunted by protesters as they arrived for a fundraiser for the re-election campaign of US Senator Gordon Smith.

Police ordered around 500 demonstrators to move from a barricaded area. Riot police wearing helmets then walked into the area, pushing activists with their batons. Some activists fell.

Police then fired aerosol canisters of pepper spray at the protesters. "We've have had a number of items thrown at our officers over the past few hours," police spokesman Brian Schmautz said.

Police also used pepper spray after around 150 demonstrators blocked vehicle access to a bridge.