A POLICE chief has called for patience and tolerance ahead of a far-right rally in the city.

The English Defence League (EDL) will hold a demonstration in the city centre today over plans to build a £3million mosque in Stanley Road, Worcester.

Two counter protests have been organised by people who oppose the action.

A dance festival which was supposed to take place today, has been cancelled due to safety concerns about the rallies.

Chief Superintendent for Herefordshire and Worcestershire Mark Travis said: "I am appealing for patience and tolerance.

"The strength of Worcester is a considered community that may not agree with, but will tolerate the views of others."

Dancefest said it regretted having to cancel its Watch Out Worcester event today.

A statement on the organisation's website said: "In light of the protests taking place in Worcester city centre, the safety of those taking part and watching has to be our priority.

"Massive thanks to all the artists and organisations who have been working so hard with us on this afternoon of free art.

"We are very sorry and sad that the event is unable to go ahead, but we hope to work with them again in the future."

Christian and Muslim leaders came together in the run-up to the protest, by having tea at Worcester's Guildhall on Tuesday in a display of solidarity between the two religions.

City councillor Jabba Riaz, the Mayor of Worcester, said: “I wanted to bring together people from our different faiths and communities to make a clear point that Worcester is a city of love, not hate.”

Dr John Inge, the Bishop of Worcester, added that the city is a friendly, peaceful place where people from all faiths can live happily together.

Syed Dr Sharif Alhusaini, the Mayor's Muslim chaplain, said: “Human hearts all share one parent heart.

"Human souls are all noble souls that aspire to reach the same divine destination. Let us all live with noble morals. Let us love each other.”

Police Inspector Tanya Beckett and Police Sergeant Carl Jones also attended the event at the Guildhall.

Laura Lane, aged 26, has organised a counter protest to take place next to the Edward Elgar statue in Worcester's High Street at 1.30pm.

The university student plans to hand out copies of a famous poem about Nazi persecution, called 'First they came'.

Worcester Trades Union Council has set up another rally against the EDL march, which will start in the Cornmarket at 1pm.

The group said it did not know about the Watch Out Worcester dance festival when it organised the action and insisted its counter protesters posed no threat to the dancers.

The EDL demonstration starts at 1.30pm in the city centre.

Worcester Muslim Welfare Association previously said it needs a mosque with more room for its growing number of worshippers.

Its current mosque, in Tallow Hill, has enough prayer space for 500 people, whereas the proposed building would be able to accommodate around 1,300 worshippers.

The Tallow Hill mosque would be turned into an education centre, under the plans.