Police in Istanbul have arrested 63 people taking part in a demonstration ahead of International Women's Day.

A crowd of 150 people had gathered in front of the mayor's office in an early observance of the March 8 celebration. Police ordered them to disperse, saying their rally was illegal. The protesters refused, and continued to chant slogans.

Television footage showed police using pepper spray and truncheons to break up the demonstration. Many in the crowd dispersed, fleeing into side streets. Authorities say demonstrators broke the windows of a police vehicle in the process.

Police also broke up a second demonstration of about 250 people in the Beyazit district. There were no reports of arrest.