AN ANTI-RACISM group set up to combat racist behaviour in Hyndburn has received the support of the Borough's football team.

Accrington Stanley are the latest club to stand up and add their name to the growing number of organisations supporting Hyndburn Against Racism.

The voluntary group was set up to oppose racist and bigoted groups from gaining any recognition in the area.

Those behind the movement say it was set up in direct response to the rise of the BNP in East Lancashire.

Rob Heys, Accrington Stanley's club administrator, said: "Hyndburn against racism approached us and asked us for our support. We are very lucky at Accrington because we have never had a problem with racism but there is no room for complacency. we want to be seen doing as much as possible stop racism creeping in at Accrington Stanley."

In a letter to Hyndburn Against Racism, Accrington Stanley chairman Eric Whalley said: "Accrington Stanley football club is proud to support Hyndburn Against Racism in sending our the message that racism isn't welcome in our community, and under no circumstances will it be tolerated."

Acting secretary of Hyndburn Against Racism, Peter Billington said: "We very much welcome the support of Accrington Stanley Football Club. We think it is excellent that the local football club is so strongly committed to the equality of all members of our community. We were aware Stanley had supprted the National Kick It Out campaign and so we were eager to get them on board.

"We have written to a number of organisations in the area asking them for support. We set up in the autumn of 2003 because we were aware that racist political groups were trying to cause division in the area."

Hyndburn Against Racism is made up of a wide cross-section of the community and is supported by St John's Church, Accrington, Higher Antley Mosque, Hyndburn and Rossendale Trades Union Council and Hyndburn Borough Council.

AN anti-racism group set up to combat racist behaviour in Hyndburn has received the support of the borough's football team.

Accrington Stanley are the latest club to stand up and add their name to the growing number of organisations supporting Hyndburn Against Racism.

The voluntary group was set up to oppose racist and bigoted groups from gaining any recognition in the area.

Those behind the movement say it was set up in direct response to the rise of the BNP in East Lancashire.

Rob Heys, Accrington Stanley's club administrator, said: "Hyndburn against racism approached us and asked us for our support.

"We are very lucky at Accrington because we have never had a problem with racism but there is no room for complacency. we want to be seen doing as much as possible stop racism creeping in at Accrington Stanley."

In a letter to Hyndburn Against Racism, Accrington Stanley chairman Eric Whalley said: "Accrington Stanley football club is proud to support Hyndburn Against Racism in sending our the message that racism isn't welcome in our community, and under no circumstances will it be tolerated."

Acting secretary of Hyndburn Against Racism Peter Billington said: "We very much welcome the support of Accrington Stanley Football Club.

"We think it is excellent that the local football club is so strongly committed to the equality of all members of our community.

"We were aware Stanley had supprted the National Kick It Out campaign and so we were eager to get them on board.

"We have written to a number of organisations in the area asking them for support.

"We set up in the autumn of 2003 because we were aware that racist political groups were trying to cause division in the area."

Hyndburn Against Racism is made up of a wide cross-section of the community and is supported by St John's Church, Accrington, Higher Antley Mosque, Hyndburn and Rossendale Trades Union Council and Hyndburn Borough Council.