A group of religious leaders have spoken out about plans to hold far-right protests in Burton as they show solidarity with the Muslim community of Burton.
Fascist group Britain First is planning to stage a march against proposals to build a new mosque in Uxbridge Street.
Now, 13 members of the Church of England Clergy have written to the Mail to express their concern about the march.
The letter, written on behalf of all 13 clergymen, was signed by Reverend Michael Freeman, of St John’s Vicarage, Burton, and calls for unity.
The reverend wrote: “Thirteen of us Church of England Clergy in the Deanery of Tutbury, had one of our regular meetings on September 9.
“We were disturbed by the intention, reported in the day’s Burton Mail, of the organisation Britain First, to march in town on Saturday, October 17, in protest against plans for construction of a new mosque in Uxbridge Street.
“We support, under the law, freedom of worship and religious assembly. We support, under the law, building for that purpose.
“We also support the right to legal civil protest.
“What disturbs us is the implication that ‘Britishness’ and Islam should be seen as incompatible.
“We hope the people of Burton will not let the good community relations be damaged by a confrontation with a considerable level of participation from outside our area.
“We offer good wishes to our brothers and sisters in the Muslim community.”
Leaders at the mosque hope the new building will double the capacity from around 750 worshippers to 1,500.
The leader of Britain First told the Mail that he hopes as many as 1,000 protestors will come to the march, which it hopes to hold in High Street, before giving speeches in Burton Market Place.
However, several voices have spoken out against the plans, including the town’s MP, Andrew Griffiths, trade union leaders and anti-fascist groups.
A counter-march has also been planned to demonstrate against the group’s presence.