Muslim group Islam4UK has cancelled controversial plans to hold an anti-war march through Wootton Bassett - the town which honours repatriated British soldiers.
The Islamic organisation’s proposals had received widespread criticism, with more than 185,000 people signing up to a Facebook page opposing the plans.
MPs had urged local authorities and the Home Secretary Alan Johnson to step in to prevent the procession in the Wiltshire town.
And Prime Minister Gordon Brown condemned the proposed march as “abhorrent and offensive.”
Islam4UK said it had “successfully highlighted the plight of Muslims in Afghanistan”.
In a statement, leader Anjem Choudary also said the group had successfully engaged with thousands of ordinary people through its website and via blogs, phone calls and emails on the reality of the conflict.
But it added: “We at Islam4UK have decided, after consultation with others including our Sheikh Omar Bakri Muhammad, that no more could be achieved even if a procession were to take place in Wootton Bassett.
“And in light of this we would like to announce today that there will no longer be a procession through this market town.”
It added: “This does not mean that we will remain silent on the atrocities being committed in Afghanistan under the guise of fighting for freedom and democracy.
“And it also does not mean that we will not continue to highlight the true cost of this war against Islam and Muslims called fighting terrorism.”
Sky’s home affairs correspondent Mark White said: “They’ve got a tremendous amount of publicity out of this.
“Of course, it caused a great deal of consternation when it was announced a couple of weeks back that this group was planning to march through Wootton Bassett.
“Anjem Choudary has told me that his group has now decided it will not march through the town.
“This will be a great relief for the town’s people who did not want to see this march go ahead and felt there could be a confrontation if Anjem Choudary and his followers had decided to carry out this protest.”
North Wiltshire MP James Gray spoke out against the group’s proposals when they were first announced.
Mr Gray said he was “very glad” Islam4UK had abandoned its plans, and said Mr Choudary’s actions had now been proven to be a “media stunt”.
Moderate Muslim groups have also welcomed the news that the march will not go ahead.
Islam4UK denied its members had planned to carry 500 empty coffins through the town.