BRIAN FERGUSON
CITY COUNCIL REPORTER

IT has staged everything from the Commonwealth Games to boxing matches and pop concerts.

Now Meadowbank Stadium could be set to play host to thousands of anti-G8 protesters set to descend on the city.

Edinburgh's ageing sports complex is being touted as the main contender to act as an ad-hoc accommodation centre for up to five days in the run-up to the Gleneagles summit.

Campaigners planning a string of alternative events in the Capital have warned the city council it must take steps to provide official "campsites" for people who opt not to stay in hostels, B&Bs, guest houses or hotels.

They have told the authority that it faces "tented cities" sprouting up in beauty spots such as Princes Street Gardens and the Meadows unless accommodation is laid on.

G8 Alternatives, a network of groups planning anti-G8 activity in Edinburgh, is also asking the council to help pay for buses to ferry protesters in and out of the city centre.

It is thought up to 10,000 people will be seeking alternative accommodation in the Capital for several days around a massive anti-poverty parade, which is being staged through the city centre.

Leading anti-G8 figures say they want the city to provide official campsites or accommodation centres, so it is seen to be welcoming the protesters.

But many large venues, such as university halls, have been booked to accommodate a huge influx of police officers that are being drafted into the Capital.

G8 Alternatives spokesman Willie Black said: "We've suggested Meadowbank as a good option, but we've asked them to look into alternatives, as that may not be available and more than one venue is likely to be needed.

"Meadowbank is fairly central and has the kind of facilities that will be needed."

A source at the City Chambers said: "Meadowbank is the best option at the moment, as there is a real lack of anywhere else suitable, especially in the city centre.

"One of the issues for the council is that no-one knows how any of these demonstrations or protests are going to turn out. We may agree to accommodate people who then create a huge amount of trouble. It's a real dilemma."

The massive parade through the city centre, on July 2, is tipped to attract a 200,000-strong crowd in what is certain to be the biggest demonstration ever held in the city.

An all-day alternative summit is being held the following day across more than 30 venues in the city, including the Usher Hall and the Queen's Hall.

Organisers have revealed that other major anti-globalisation demonstrations, conferences, pop and rock concerts, comedy events and "stunts" will be held around the city.

Mr Black said: "The last thing we want is for tented cities to start popping up in Princes Street Gardens or the Meadows, where there are no toilets or showers. The council could end up with a scenario where people camp on any spare bit of grass they can find."

Council leader Donald Anderson said: "We're in discussion about this at the moment and nothing has been confirmed yet.

"We wouldn't be comfortable with anything like this in somewhere like the Meadows."

Labour councillor Shami Khan, whose ward includes Meadowbank, said: "We wouldn't want any parts of the city to be spoiled by people pitching up to camp there and I don't really see a problem with using Meadowbank."

Riot police gear up to tackle city rally chaos

HUNDREDS of riot police have staged a secret training operation to prepare for violent G8 summit protests in the Capital.

Officers in riot gear faced up to colleagues dressed as baseball bat-wielding protesters and tackled petrol bombs and smoke bombs at the undercover training camp.

Protesters were chased through fields by police dog handlers wearing riot helmets, while mounted police tried to control angry crowds.

The violent scenes were staged in preparation for the summit of world leaders in July. While the heads of state will be under guard at Gleneagles, up to 200,000 protesters are expected to rally at a march in Edinburgh.

The massive anti-poverty parade through the Capital on July 2 is widely expected to bring the city centre to a standstill, while various other high-profile marches and demonstrations are predicted to be held across the city.

The mock-up police operation, held in the grounds of a disused hospital in Lanarkshire, is part of a £20 million security crackdown on anarchist groups who are expected to besiege Scotland.

The president of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, Chief Constable David Strang, said: "This type of training is regularly carried out by forces across the country, and the refresher programme involves general public order tactics."

More than 10,000 officers will be drafted in to combat any trouble from all over Scotland and throughout the UK.

Special security measures are expected to be in place at Edinburgh Airport, the Forth Road Bridge, the Scottish Parliament building and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.