People have been urged to carry on as normal following news that the far right English Defence League (EDL) plans to demonstrate in the district.

MP John Grogan was responding to the organisation's announcement on its website that this rally will take place in Keighley on Saturday September 2 at 1pm, before moving to Bradford for a second protest at 3pm.

Mr Grogan said: "The English Defence League are a far right organisation who exist to divide communities and stir up trouble. In recent years they have been declining in influence.

"They last came to Keighley in 2012 and have shown little interest since in the town. I am in contact with the police who have undertaken extensive planning for the event.

"For the rest of us my best advice is keep calm and carry on with normal activities, which on that weekend will include the Keighley Show, Bingley Music Live and Bradford City playing at home."

The Unite Against Fascism group has confirmed it plans to oppose the EDL's return to the town with a demonstration of its own.

Keighley town chaplain Reverend Dr Jonathan Pritchard said: "The EDL will come, the EDL will go. And people of goodwill in Keighley will continue to work together for the good of our town."

A joint statement released by Bradford Council chief executive Kersten England and police chief superintendent Scott Bisset says work is under way to prepare for the EDL protest.

Their statement notes: "We understand that some people may have an expectation that the police or council should ban these demonstrations. We don't have any legal power to do this.

"We therefore have to plan for the protests in order to ensure public safety.

"Local people can have confidence in the police maintaining public safety."