Police today confirmed that the National Front has made an official application to march in Bradford this weekend.

The force said it is currently pressing for the Home Secretary to make an order banning the gathering. As well as halting a counter demonstration planned by the Anti-Nazi League, such an order could outlaw all other marches within the district for the next three months.

Fears have been raised that a march by the right-wing group could spark violent clashes such as those witnessed recently in Oldham and Burnley.

Bradford police will recommend to the West Yorkshire Chief Constable Graham Moore that the march, planned for Saturday, is banned. He will make his representations to Bradford Council which will then consult with Home Secretary David Blunkett. Mr Blunkett has the responsibility for making the final ruling.

If a banning order is made, this could see all marches, apart from pre-arranged, annual events, outlawed within the Bradford district for three months.

A police spokesman said today: "We will be pressing to ban all marches within the district. There has been strong feeling within the community."