A GOVERNMENT minister wants to stop social media being used as a 'vehicle of hatred'.

Minister for Faith Lord Bourne also criticised the 'awful' demonisation of Muslims, following a visit to Worcester Cathedral today.

The Very Reverend Peter Atkinson, the Dean of Worcester, guided Lord Bourne around the building as part of the minister's national tour of cathedrals.

Minister Nick Bourne said: "We need to take action against social media, which is sometimes used by a few people - to great detriment - as a vehicle of hatred.

"It can be used for improper purposes and we have seen that in many ways - encouraging hatred off all different parts of our community.

"That's not British and that's now what people want."

Mr Bourne said the Government is supported by opposition parties in its bid to ensure that social media is used for good rather than ill.

He added that his department is committed to tackling religious hatred and has funded anti-Islamophobic groups such as Tell MAMA.

"Demonisation of any religion is a dreadful thing. Certainly demonisation of Muslims is awful and Islamophobia is awful," he said.

"There are bad people in every religion or no religion.

"Many millions of Muslims in this country play a vital part to the life of this country and are proud of being British and it's time we all said so."

The Minister said that one of the 'great British traditions' is to accept refugees into the country and he said he wants to see this continue.

He commended Worcester City Council for doing its part and housing Syrian refugees.

The Very Reverend Peter Atkinson said: "Worcestershire is taking a number of Syrian families, I think we could do more.

"The problem hasn't gone away, it's still a desperately critical situation with the numbers trying to get across the Mediterranean.

"I think this country still has an obligation to help and that means sharing it out to local authorities."

Mr Bourne is undertaking a tour of England's 42 cathedrals to find out what churches are doing in their local communities.