HONG KONG - About 1,000 poultry farmers in south China clashed with police and held at least one official hostage after a riot in which more than 10 people were injured.

The fighting broke out after the authorities tried to demolish allegedly illegal farm buildings, newspapers reported yesterday.

The farmers wielded sticks and threw rocks to resist the demolition of their properties on Wednesday in Shiyan village in Shenzhen, the pro-Beijing Wen Wei Po newspaper reported.

Police sent 300 officers armed with water cannon to dispel the crowd, according to reports.

Newspaper pictures showed rows of officers in riot gear and a car turned on its side.

The farmers - upset that their poultry buildings were being removed before talks on compensation had been concluded - held hostage a senior village official who arrived to negotiate.

The official was released when the stand-off ended, the newspaper said.

More than 10 people, including police officers, were injured. Some rioters were beaten by police until they bled and two of their number were arrested, the Apple Daily newspaper reported.

The protesters dispersed after the authorities agreed to put the demolition work on hold.

Police officials declined to comment on the media reports. -- AP