A TOP race watchdog has praised communities throughout Worcester for sticking together while race riots spread across the country.

Nurul Haque applauded city people and said it was an example to be followed by the rest of the country.

He highlighted fears of a backlash after the riots in the north-east of the country and the World Trade Centre attacks.

"In recent years, race relations has become a very difficult subject for people who have seen riots in the north of the country and the settlement of new communities in Britain," said Mr Haque, speaking at the annual meeting of Worcestershire Racial Equality Council.

"We've seen community relations stretched beyond tolerance, but in Worcester I'm proud to say a happy relationship has been maintained with all the local communities.

"This is the good message for the rest of the country, who should follow the positive example."

Although graffiti stating "Long live Osama bin Laden" was sprayed on the Commandery, in Wyld's Lane, after the events of September 11, there was no upsurge of racial hatred in the city.

But Mr Haque maintained that the council would continue to work for a better community and not become complacent.

"We all have responsibilities to support each other in our communities irrespective of race, colour, creed or religious belief," said Mr Haque, speaking at a meeting in the Guildhall.

Figures released in the council's annual report highlight a decrease in the number of racial incidents reported to officers.

West Mercia police detected 344 incidents from April 2001 to March 2002, which was a drop of 129 from the previous year.

There were 48 racist incidents reported in Worcester, with 21 in Kidderminster and nine in Bromsgrove.

Of the 344 reported, 36 per cent have been detected and of those, 47 per cent were identified as racially aggravated harassment, alarm or distress.