Anti-capitalist protesters pitched dozens of tents in London's historic Trafalgar Square today, as thousands of students marched through the capital aginst cuts to university funding.

The demonstrators at Trafalgar Square said they were allied to the "Occupy London Stock Exchange" movement, which has been camping out at St Paul's Cathedral in the capital's financial district since last month.

"We're here to protest against the corrupt government we face, that's fuelled by corrupt money and bankers," one unnamed protester told the BBC, identifying himself as part of the Occupy LSX movement.

Aerial footage showed dozens of fold-up tents around the giant lion statues at the foot of Nelson's Column, which honours English admiral Horatio Nelson who defeated the French and Spanish navies at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

Occupy LSX said on its Twitter feed: "We are now occupying Trafalgar Square! *victory dance*" and called on supporters to move in with tents and supplies.

The sudden occupation of one of London's top tourist sites occured during a a march by thousands of students opposed to higher education fees which passed by Trafalgar Square.

The students were also due to pass later by St Paul's Cathedral, where anti-capitalist demonstrators have been camped out since October 15.