PREPARATIONS for the English Defence League (EDL) protest in the city this weekend are almost complete,with police expecting the demonstration to "pass peacefully and safely".

The rally is expected to start in Worcester city centre at around 1.30pm on Saturday, September 1.

The far-right group is staging a ‘national’ demonstration over plans to build a £3million mosque in Stanley Road, Worcester.

But counter protesters intend to tell the EDL that they are not welcome in the city.

Almost 1,000 people have either signed up or expressed an interest in attending a planned counter protest, on Facebook.

A joint statement by Worcester in Solidarity, People in Motion and Stand Up To Racism said: “Worcester is a diverse city where we live peacefully alongside people from many different faiths, countries and backgrounds.

"We are coming together to stand in solidarity with them all against those who wish to create division.”

Chief Superintendent for West Mercia Police, Mark Travis, said: “We continue to liaise with the local community, as well as with the organisers of the EDL and counter demonstration to ensure that we are able to safely police Worcester on September 1.

“Officers are working hard with partners and other agencies and will continue to do so to ensure disruption to in the city is minimised and the event passes peacefully and safely.”

More than 1,000 people have signed an online petition calling on the police to stop the EDL demonstration from taking place.

However, West Mercia Police told the Worcester News that the protest could not be legally banned due to the demonstration being classed as a gathering and not a march.

Three people were arrested and two police officers were injured at the last EDL march in Worcester, on July 21.

Some people believe the EDL are returning because of the strong resistance they were met with on July 21.