A group representing city traders has backed the Telegraph & Argus campaign supporting calls for a ban on the proposed English Defence League rally.

Bradford Chamber of Trade says it will serve no useful purpose to allow the EDL to hold a large rally in Bradford over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Val Summerscales, of the chamber, said it would be a “backward step” for Bradford if the event were to go ahead as scheduled on Saturday, August 28.

She said: “We expressed our concerns via the open meeting that was held at City Hall. We have signed the form asking for the Home Secretary to ban the event. The last thing we want is for it to kick off in the city centre or anywhere else afterwards.

“In 2001, it went all over the place, out to other areas, and caused a lot of damage to businesses and other property. Looking at the past history of events that have happened in Bradford, it’s pretty obvious that we don’t want that happening again.

“We don’t think it would serve any purpose to allow them to come. We are totally against it.”

Mrs Summerscales pointed to the friction that had been evident during previous EDL rallies. She said: “When you look at the problems associated with some of the marches they have held already in other places, we don’t want that happening here.

“We are supportive of a total ban on them coming to Bradford.

“We want to regenerate Bradford and to improve its reputation. We don’t need anything that could cause harm to that process.

“It’s all well and good saying there might not be any problems, but you only have to look at wherever they have been before to see what could happen.

“I think the general consensus from the people I’ve spoken to in Bradford is that they don’t want to risk them coming and causing problems. A lot of people have been saying the same thing.”