The Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix went ahead yesterday despite calls for fresh protests and attempts by protesters to block roads to Sakhir race track with burning tyres and rubbish.

The most radical of the Shiite opposition, the February 14 Youth Movement, used text messaging and social networks to urge protesters to hold fresh demonstrations to coincide with the race.And early yesterday, activists used burning tyres and rubbish to block roads leading to the Sakhir circuit. An AFP photographer said the route to the circuit, though jam-packed with traffic, was later cleared.

Security was tight in the island kingdom for the highly controversial Grand Prix, with police patrolling the capital Manama and the roads leading to the race track. Police helicopters flew low over Manama and armoured vehicles were deployed across the city, witnesses reported.