Protesters stood outside Chelmsford train station to demonstrate against the British National Party (BNP), whose leader, Nick Griffin, was rumoured to arrive in the county town for a "secret" meeting.

About 20 supporters of the anti-fascist group Unite Against Fascism gathered outside the station's Duke Street entrance at 5.45pm on Saturday.

They were supervised by Essex Police, who were on standby in case any violence broke out.

The legal party, recently at the centre of an undercover BBC programme, has published its intention to target Chelmsford in the run-up to the next General Election, on the internet.

But it is not yet known how Unite Against Fascism knew the BNP's leader would be at a meeting in Chelmsford.

A police spokesman later said the demonstration was very peaceful.

Published Monday August 9, 2004

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