More than 100 campaigners and community leaders put on a show of strength and unity at an anti-racist rally.

The event, organised by Brother Sarfraz Sarwar of the Basildon Islamic Centre, was held in light of a number of racially motivated attacks in Basildon over the summer.

Members of the new town's Muslim community were joined at the Basildon Centre by representatives from Basildon police, the Sikh, Catholic and Hindu communities, Unite Against Fascism and the three major political parties.

Following an introduction from Brother Sarwar - who has himself been attacked - Tory Basildon Council leader Malcolm Buckley said that racial problems in the town were caused by a "very small minority".

Mr Buckley said: "We are one community and we need to work together as that one community for the benefit of me, you and everybody else."

A message from Basildon and East Thurrock Angela Smith was read out by her husband, former Basildon Council leader Nigel Smith.

She said: "I am saddened and horrified by the racial attacks in our town. We need to show unity in the face of such attacks. "We have so much to gain by promoting tolerance."

Brother Sarwar plans to send a petition to Prime Minister Tony Blair outlining Basildon's united front against racism.