FEARS are mounting over a march through Weymouth by the right-wing English Defence League protesting at Islamic extremism.

The newly-formed Weymouth branch of the group organised the march following a TV programme that showed Islamic extremists on the streets of the town.

They will be undertaking the protest in Weymouth on Saturday, April 30 at 1pm to protest the ‘entrapment of the youth of Weymouth by extremist Muslims.’ A counter march by opponents of the English Defence League (EDL) will take place at the same time.

The group, which was formed after the showing of the programme ‘My Brother the Islamist’, now has more than 330 members and has said it will be a peaceful protest.

The programme followed film-maker Robb Leech, originally from Wey-mouth, as he documented his step-brother Richard Dart’s sudden change to an extreme Islamist called Salahuddin with minority group Muslims Against Crusaders.

In one scene he and a group based in London visited Weymouth and preached in the town centre.

The counter march will be headed by the Labour Party.

The group said that it is a non-political peaceful protest and anyone from any party opposed to the EDL in Weymouth would be welcome.

Richard Baker from the group said: “We plan to peacefully oppose the presence of the EDL in Weymouth and I encourage councillors, candidates, MPs of all political parties, and the general public to join us; divided not by party, but united by a common humanity and compassion.

“We want to make it clear that the community of Weymouth and Portland does not share the narrow and prejudiced views of the EDL.”

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council spokesman for Community Safety Ian James said that people should not be worried by the marches.

He said: “I’m disappointed the EDL feel it necessary to hold a protest march in Weymouth based on one TV programme, we’re not harbouring millions of terrorists here for goodness sake.”

He added: “Hopefully it will be a very small turn-out and hopefully people will ignore them.”

Mr James said that any trouble on either side of the march would be dealt with by police.

He said: “I don’t want people to worry about it. The police are aware, any group wanting to protest have to give notice and there will be a police presence. Residents should feel safe.”

He added: “Anybody, on either side causing any trouble will be dealt with.”

A spokesman for Dorset police said that they were aware of the requests for the demonstration and were liaising with both the EDL and the Labour Party.

He said: “We are aware of requests made for a potential meeting of the EDL in the Weymouth area this month.

“We are currently liaising with spokespeople for the EDL and our partners in the borough council to consider the logistical issues surrounding any such event.”

He added: “We are also aware of a request made for a Labour Party meeting. Similarly, this is subject to ongoing liaison with organisers and the borough council.”