ORGANISERS of an anti-racism rally are gearing up for the event next week as Burnley MP Peter Pike threw his support behind the cause.

The event "Unite to Stop the BNP" is being arranged to bring politicians, clergy, national activists and television celebrities to Burnley.

The demo on Thursday has been organised by the Coalition Against Racism in the wake of the the rioting in the town last year and the election in May, when three BNP councillors were voted on to the council.

The far right party has since said it was considering fielding candidates in Blackburn and the Ribble Valley.

Organisers said the demo would highlight "united opposition to the BNP and their policies of race hate."

Peter Pike said: "I always have and always will condemn racism in any form. The BNP has no interest in building communities and promoting understanding.

"They aim only to divide and misinform. They offer the people of Burnley nothing. We cannot flourish, rebuild and make life better for our children if we are divided.

"I strongly support the aims and objectives of the Coalition Against Racism rally and am confident the event will show that we are not prepared to tolerate the racist agenda to which the BNP is committed."

The rally will take place in the James Hargreaves stand at Burnley Football Club's Turf Moor ground and speakers billed to appear include TUC Deputy General Secretary Brendan Barber, Burnley Council leader Stuart Caddy, Bishop of Burnley the Right Reverend John Goddard, and Coun Roger Frost, who leads the town's Lib-Dem group.

Also expected to speak are Lee Jasper from the National Assembly Against Racism, which advises the Home Office on race issues, and former Burnley Mayor Coun Rafique Malik and his son Shahid Malik, now a member of Labour's National Executive.

East Lancashire MPs and Accrington-born actress Julie Hesmondhalgh, Hayley Cropper in 'Corrie', have been approached. Communications Union general secretary Billy Hayes may also appear.

Steven Smith, organiser of the BNP in Burnley, said: "The demo is something people neither asked for nor want.

"If the Coalition Against Racism believes it is an organisation which has support from the Burnley public, they should stand in the next elections as the BNP are going to do. We expect to win more council seats."