Home Secretary David Blunkett has banned National Front supporters marching through the streets of Bradford.

The ruling - following appeals from the police and Council - came as Asian community leaders urged people "not to be provoked into taking the law into their own hands".

Fears of race-hate violence, which have already devastated communities in Oldham and Burnley, arose earlier this week when the racist group applied for permission to march.

Concerns remain that NF supporters will still gather in the city but police said they were ready to deal with troublemakers.

A spokesman said: "West Yorkshire Police will not tolerate racism or incitement to cause racial hatred. Our policing arrangements for the weekend will enable us to respond to any potential problems but we cannot disclose our operational plans."

He added: "We can reassure people in Bradford that we have contingencies in place but would ask people to show restraint and remain calm."

Under the Public Order Act 1986 marches of more than 20 people can be halted throughout the district for the next three months

A Home Office spokesman said yesterday: "The orders are intended to prevent serious public disorder and serious disruption to local communities."

The move will also cover an intended counter-march in Bradford by the Anti-Nazi League also scheduled for Saturday. Other potential flashpoints such as Burnley, Pendle, and Blackburn are also included.

Organisers of a multi-faith 'walk for friendship' event in Keighley have told the public to stay away in the light of the proposed NF march.

Tim Garthwaite said walkers had been set to visit places of worship and enjoying a shared picnic. He said a small group will follow the route but it was not open to the public.

He added: "In no way do we want something organised for developing harmony and goodwill in the town destroyed by concerns about unrest."

A spokeswoman for Bradford Council said: "Our district is one of the best multicultural centres in Britain, as demonstrated in last week's Mela, the highlight of the Bradford Festival.

"Our approach to the challenges of race relations is one which we pride as our top priority. Challenges by outside groups against this priority will not be tolerated.

"We owe it to the citizens we serve to maintain a harmonious and safe district."

She added: "We hope this serves as a message to any group attempting to cause disorder across the district, you are not welcome here and never will be."

Yesterday top police officers assured the Asian community that they were doing everything possible to maintain peace.

Chief Superintendent Phil Read, the divisional commander for Bradford North, was among a police party which met prominent Asian figures.

A joint statement released after the meeting read: "The community has overwhelmingly supported the police and the local authority in their application to ban all marches in the district.

"Community members will be urging people not to be provoked into taking the law into their own hands."

It added: "Overall, Bradford has a good reputation for its race relations and this was demonstrated at the annual Mela in Bradford last weekend. This was a tremendous success, which was enjoyed by all sections of the Bradford community."

The statement concluded: "We wouldn't want anything to spoil that and damage the reputation of Bradford."

Amjad Pervez, from Asian Trade Link Yorkshire, said: "We are urging people from the Asian communities, particularly our youth, to show restraint and do not let themselves to be drawn into bouts of street violence that will inevitably have a devastating and negative impact on Bradford and Yorkshire as a whole.

Bradford North MP Terry Rooney said: "The National Front don't represent anyone, they are just a fascist organisation. I suspect some of them will turn up anyway but the police are ready for them."