Far-right group United Patriots to stage anti-Islam and immigration march in Walsall

The United Patriots group wants to take to the town centre on February 27.

So far more than 100 people have signed up to the event on Facebook.

It comes just three months after the English Defence League held a march through the town. Nine people were arrested at that event. This latest protest has been condemned by Walsall Council leader Councillor Mike Bird, who described the situation as 'very sad'.

Liam Walsall, leader of the Walsall Patriots group, which has links to the United Patriots, wrote on Facebook: "There are major issues in Walsall, we have been contacted all year round to hold a protest in Walsall and we've finally got round to holding it. We need this protest to prove Walsall is still an English town.

"Islam has a strong hold within Walsall and we need to challenge the whole Islamic community to see what they are doing to tackle the rise of extreme Islam."

When sharing the event on Facebook, Liam added: "No surrender."

Councillor Bird said: "I have never heard of them. It's very sad because we have a diverse community in Walsall. We have some experience of good community cohesion and this does nothing but drive a wedge between communities and we could do without them. We have to accept that living in a democratic country with free speech that they will be coming to the town, there will be some disruption, and hopefully they will go away after that."

Billy Corrigan, spokesman for West Midlands Police, said: "We are aware of the Facebook post but nothing more at this stage." The United Patriots, whose Facebook page has more than 6,300 members, cancelled a planned protest against 'the growing Islamisation in Walsall town' last month amid claims its support was dwindling. Previously, the group organised a memorial service for murdered solider Lee Rigby at Bloxwich War Memorial in May.

The protest will come just months after the EDL marched in Walsall.