Chinese media reports end of 'mass incident'

What was described by Chinese state media as a "mass incident" has now calmed, according to the Xinhua news agency.

Local authorities in China said an incident occurred in the Hunan province when people protested at a rise in bus fares.

Some buses were destroyed and burned and stones were thrown at police, a Lingling district spokesman told Xinhua.

According to the BBC, as many as 20,000 people were involved in the riots and police are still protecting government buildings and patrolling streets.

The Chinese government is sensitive to issues of public demonstration and it is believed a number take place each day which go unreported.

Chinese state media added that the Hunan provincial government and the city government of Yongzhou had sent officials to help calm the problem.

Anda Corporation, which controls the buses in the area has been told to halt operations and it is currently under investigation.