A RELIGIOUS leader says he has been "overwhelmed" by Worcester residents' support for a campaign aimed at stamping out racism.

Members of the Worcestershire Interfaith Forum gathered outside St Andrew's Methodist Church in Pump Street to give away safety pins as part of a national anti-race hate campaign.

Campaigners spread the message 'United in Friendship Not Fear', through the 'Safety Pin campaign' which was started by a woman in London following Britain's vote to back Brexit.

It has captured the imagination of Worcester residents, and hundreds of pins were handed out to passers-by on Wednesday.

The Reverend Ian Spencer, of Holland House Retreat Centre, said: "It was amazing. We felt overwhelmed.

"I think what we took from the experience is that actually, there is a huge amount of love, support and appreciation for folks of all faiths and all races to live together peacefully in Worcester.

"The other voices do not really represent 99 per cent - probably more - of the people in Worcester."

The pins, which must be worn in a visible place, let passers-by know they can feel safe and welcome.

The Worcestershire Interfaith Forum represents people from all faiths in the county, including Baha'i, Buddhist, Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Quaker, Sikh and Unitarian.

A total of 250 safety pins were given away by the group, and 140 people posed for a photograph in front of its campaign banner.

The pictures will be used to create an anti-racism poster, which will eventually be displayed in public buildings around the city.

The Revd Spencer continued: "Look at all these Worcester faces, 140 people in just a few hours want to say we support all of the people of Worcester not just a minority.

"Everybody who comes to Worcester should feel safe, whether they have been here five minutes or 50 years, whether they are refugees, immigrants, and whatever faith and religion. Everybody should feel safe.

"The poster will hopefully represent that and we will get it into schools and libraries."