HUNDREDS of people from different backgrounds rallied for a community day that demonstrated a diverse Dudley - in a show of unity to fight back against protests that have recently hit the town.

Live music, dance and drumming, craft stalls, fun fair rides, stilt walkers, jugglers and information stands played their part in celebrating "all that is good" about Dudley town, its people and the diverse communities that thrive there.

The Dudley CommUNITY Day opened with a speech from the Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Steve Waltho, and the stage was shared by other speakers, council leader Councillor Pete Lowe, Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson, Deputy Mayor Councillor Mohammed Hanif, head of Dudley Market Traders Len Lenihan, Dudley North MP Ian Austin and representatives from Dudley Interfaith Network, the Rev Andrew Wickens and Imam Hamid Hashmi.

Their topics included the generosity of local people to charity, the success of events like the Black Country Festival, the regeneration of the town centre and the diversity of the borough's many faiths.

Alluding to recent English Defence League demonstrations against plans for a new mosque in the town, West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said: "Dudley is a great town that has had many unwelcome visitors recently.

"Instead of having the town in the press for protests, I am pleased the vibrant and diverse of Dudley will be in the media for a positive show of unit like this."

Stone Street square hosted live music, dance, and drumming performances and other attractions included mascots from the Mayor's charity More Mascots Please.

In the market place, staff from The Venue restaurant demonstrated how to make the Indian crepe dish of dosa.

Cllr Lowe said: "Dudley Community Day was a fantastic event and a public declaration of our town's unity.

"The people of this borough are warm, welcoming and rightly proud of who they are and where they come from.

"Although our backgrounds may differ, we share many of the same core values and it's that tolerance and cohesiveness which makes me proud to live and work in this borough."

The commUNITY day was coordinated by Dudley Council, Dudley Borough Interfaith Network and the organisers of the Black Country Festival.