A MASSIVE police operation is under way in Dudley this morning as the town braces itself for an English Defence League (EDL) protest.

Large numbers of EDL supporters are expected to begin arriving in the town centre from around 11am while a counter demonstration, also set for today, from Unite Against Fascism, is also expected to attract significant support.

Authorities have closed roads around the town centre and hope to contain the demonstrators in Flood Street car park and Stafford Street.

The main protest will take place between 2pm and 4pm at Flood Street, in the shadow of the proposed site for a new Dudley mosque.

The Midlands TUC today (Saturday) issued a statement condemning the English Defence League for holding a rally in the centre of Dudley.

Cheryl Pidgeon, regional secretary of the Midlands TUC said, “We know that this group includes football hooligans and racist thugs who are intent on causing trouble.”

“Their claim to be protesting against radical Islam has been shown to be a fraud, as their behaviour in other cities has shown, where they quickly descend into exposing their hate for all Muslims.

“The timing is designed to cause maximum disruption to the people of Dudley and will place severe demands on police resources today.

“The Midlands TUC rejects the EDL message of hate, and would urge the people of Dudley to do the same leaving the EDL in no doubt that their shameful politics are not welcome in the midlands.”