Campaigners visited a Weymouth housing estate to deliver their message in response to a candidate standing in local elections for a far-right organisation.

As reported, Ken Kearsey is standing as a Britain First candidate in Littlemoor and Preston in the election for the new Dorset Council.

New campaign group Stand Up To Racism Dorset asked people to meet at St Francis Church in Littlemoor on Saturday before heading into the estate to hand out leaflets.

The leaflets read: "Many Littlemoor residents - and people across Dorset - are concerned about the presence of this divisive organisation.

"Britain First sows suspicion and hatred."

Philip Marfleet, one of the founders of Stand Up To Racism Dorset, said: "We are very concerned that out of the blue Britain First has appeared in Weymouth to stand in local elections and ask people for their votes. This organisation is very undesirable.

"We want everyone in the area to know the facts about these people and what they stand for. We can take great heart in going around and handing out these leaflets to people."

One of the campaigners, Giovanna Lewis, said: "Britain First is a very extreme group. They mainly target economically deprived areas that are disadvantaged in some ways."

Local resident Mary Mullett said: "I think that the Brexit vote has shown this country to be very racist and now these groups have come out of that."

The Echo reported how Mr Kearsey looks set to have his commission withdrawn from the Church of England.

He was recently commissioned as a lay pastoral assistant, and was due to complete his vows on Palm Sunday – but Bishop of Sherborne, the Rt Revd Karen Gorham, has written to him explaining this will be withdrawn if he continues to be a member of Britain First.

Mr Kearsey has been contacted for a comment in response to the leafleting at the weekend.

In a statement last week responding to the Bishop's letter Mr Kearsey said: "I genuinely feel I am doing God's will. I am 100% committed to Britain First and I will not back down. I think it shows the Anglican Church in a very poor light, they will come out of this looking intolerant and bigoted. I never thought that I would be a martyr for the cause. What next?"