A BLACKBURN Rovers soccer star will kick-off a major anti-racism conference.

More than 300 delegates are to descend on Ewood Park on May 1 for the conference against racism in education.

NUT leaders requested a guest appearance by a Rovers player in light of the club's work on anti-racist issues.

Regional secretary Simon Jones said Rovers was top choice for the event following their support of the national drive to kick racism out of football.

And he said organisers were hopeful that Andy Cole could appear alongside NUT national officer John Illingworth, who used to be one of the striker's teachers in Nottingham.

Rovers launched the Show Racism the Red Card five years ago with the backing of Blackburn with Darwen Council, the Churches Commission for Racial Justice, the Professional Footballers' Association and UNISON.

Mr Jones said: "We are delighted to have a Rovers player say a few words about the importance of educational anti-racist campaigns like Show Racism the Red Card.

"The NUT has argued consistently that the development of anti-racist approaches is integral to good educational practice and part of the professional responsibility of all teachers."

The All Our Futures conference aims to tackle growing problems of racism in northern towns and the rise of far-right political parties in local elections.

The conference will include seminars on race and diversity across the school curriculum, reporting and monitoring racist incidents, including refugee children in Blackburn with Darwen schools and an exploration of racial tensions.

Pupils from Witton Park High school will be attending.