Cleethorpes holidaymaker photographs riots in Turkey

A CLEETHORPES electrician risked rubber bullets fired by riot police as he took photographs on the front line of demonstrations in Istanbul.

Alan Hilditch, 55, of the Belvoir Park estate, was on the last leg of a European holiday through Transylvania, Romania and Turkey when he became caught up in the spontaneous uprising against the Turkish government's plans to build a shopping mall in the centre of Istanbul.

He suffered the effects of tear gas when police fired on thousands of demonstrators.

They protested at the weekend against plans for Gezi Park to be used for a shopping mall.

The Cleethorpes man said the anger at the construction plans fuelled opposition to Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The authorities' heavy-handed stance has angered more Turks.

Alan said: "People were upset that the prime minister and government are moving to a more Islamist state. They want schools and libraries, but the government are pushing through plans for more mosques and shopping malls."

From the vantage point of the 67-metre-tall Galata Tower in Istanbul, Alan could see plumes of smoke coming from the Taksim Square area and he went to have a closer look, armed with his Pentax K30.

He said: "There were people in masks all heading towards the city centre. There lots of people demonstrating and shop windows were smashed and slogans daubed on walls.

"The police responded with tear gas and water cannons. There were police all over the place.

"In amongst the rioters, the tear gas was strong stuff. It made my eyes water and I was choking for a while. It was a nasty taste. It is horrible."

Alan started with the protesters, but switched to a vantage point behind the police line as they faced a wall of thousands of protesters.

He said: "It was an opportunity to take photographs. You feel as if you are witnessing a major event. I felt fortunate to be there.

"The park is about the size of Haverstoe and is used mainly by people to sit and enjoy their pack-ups during the day. But they feel passionately about keeping it.

"Turkey is economically successful, but split between pro and anti government factions. There are many who feel their aims are being ignored and with presidential elections coming up there is a lot of tension."