CHURCHES have united in their condemnation of American Christian extremists' plan to protest outside a Leytonstone primary school over the teaching of gay history.

In a letter from ‘the church community of Leytonstone’, the ten signatories say they are “concerned and shocked” at the news that members of the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) are planning to bring their “message of hate”.

It said: “We feel it necessary to distance ourselves from any action they may be taking against the school.

The letter acknowledges that Leytonstone churches represent “a very diverse gathering of opinions and theologies, especially with regards to issues of sexuality”.

It continues: “There is one belief in which were are totally undivided and that is the belief that God is a God of love and that ‘God so loved the world that he sent his only son (John 3:16).

“We therefore find the message of God’s hatred towards anyone to be completely opposite to our own understanding of character.”

The WBC, which featured in a Louis Theroux documentary for the BBC, has picketed the funerals of victims of homophobic violence and Aids with placards delaring "God Hates Fags".

The planned demonstration is in response to worldwide media reports that parents may be prosecuted for removing their children from the school in protest at the teaching of gay history.

The letter was signed by representatives of local Quakers, Methodists, Baptists, United Free Church and Catholics.