RACE issues will be the focus of a conference at Redditch Town Hall next week.

The conference is aimed at people who can influence race relations in the town, including public sector front-line staff and decision-makers, community representatives and political leaders.

It will bring people working for the town together to give an overview of how they are dealing with race issues, as well as planning for the future.

Afternoon workshops will be led by community action groups and will provide an open forum for discussing key topics.

Speakers include Worcester Race Equality Council chief executive Mohammed Aslam, teacher advisor for multi-cultural education at Worcestershire County Council Cliff Sage and Father Aloyisuis Buykini, a Catholic priest from Uganda.

The conference is being held on Thursday, July 4, from 9.30am-3.30pm.