A LARGE scale police operation is currently under way in Dudley this morning as the town braces itself for yet another English Defence League (EDL) protest.

Over a thousand EDL supporters are expected to begin arriving in the town centre from around noon while a counter demonstration, also set for today, from Unite Against Fascism, is also expected to attract significant support.

Dudley Council has sealed off roads around the two protest sites – Stafford Street and Tower Street - and police are stationed around the town centre.

Many town centre traders have shut up shop for the day, alongside the market, as businesses – many which have been boarded up - prepare to lose yet another day’s trade.

Last time the EDL and UAF protested in Dudley, the town centre lost thousands of pounds of Saturday trade and Dudley taxpayers were left with around a £500,000 bill.

Today’s protests will take place between 1.30pm and 3.30pm.