A METHODIST minister is calling on Ribble Valley voters to turn out in force at the local elections in May and give political extremism the boot.

The move came as it was revealed church leaders in Clitheroe had been holding meetings to see how they might encourage parishioners to go to the polls on May 1.

The Rev Richard Atkinson, minister at Trinity Methodist Church, Parson Lane, Clitheroe, claimed outbursts at a recent planning inquiry into controversial plans to build a mosque in the town centre had revealed racism "lurking below the surface of the town."

The Ribble Valley Council chamber erupted into a verbal scrum, when plans to build the mosque at the back of an Islamic Education Centre in Holden Street came up before planning inspector Claire Sherratt.

Coun Frank Dyson told the inquiry all sections of the Clitheroe community had a right to a place of worship, but his comments sparked an outburst from the public gallery and the inspector was forced to call order when racist abuse was shouted at supporters of the mosque scheme.

Mr Atkinson, who recently took part in a symbolic exchange of religious texts outside the proposed mosque with leaders of Clitheroe's Muslim community, said: "Many have commented about my bravery in sticking my head above the parapet.

"But I feel it is my Christian duty to stand against evil. It is a sad fact that one of the most popular forms of evil is racism.

"It lies beneath the surface of our quiet little town, as witnessed at the planning hearing in a frightening and vitriolic manner. If we want to stand up for Clitheroe, we have to go to the polls and deny political extremism a voice."

The minister continued: "We hope to do our bit in encouraging friends, family and neighbours to vote for the future of our community.

"We hope voters won't be diverted by questions of asylum, crime or the mosque, but tell political extremists to be on their way, ensuring the peace and freedom of all who live in our delightful town."