A FUNDAY celebrating the borough's multiculturalism is to be held as a counter to a planned march by the far-right English Defence League (EDL) on the same day.

Waltham Forest Council has announced that the event will take place in Walthamstow town centre on Saturday October 27 and will feature a variety of food stalls, games, and other entertainment.

The EDL, which claims to be opposed to Islamic extremism but which critics say is racist, wants to march through Walthamstow on that date after its previous demonstration in the area last month ended in disarray when it was blocked by 3,000 counter-protesters.

The council and Waltham Forest Guardian are campaigning together for the proposed march to be banned by the government.

The 'Waltham Forest - United. Strong. Together’ campaign has already been backed by more than 1,700 residents who have signed our petition.

However last week Waltham Forest Police said they had no plans to apply for a ban because there was no intelligence to suggest a march would cause serious violence or disruption to the community.

Council leader Cllr Chris Robbins said the funday would "celebrate everything that is great about the borough’s tolerant and diverse community" and urged residents to attend.

He said: “This event allows the ordinary people of Waltham Forest to show their unity and celebrate everything that is great about Waltham Forest in a peaceful manner.

“It’s not a protest, demonstration or confrontation, and anybody who wants to get involved in that type of activity is not welcome at this event.

"It’s not affiliated with any groups or organisations, it’s part of our ongoing campaign with the local newspaper and gives residents the chance to come together and celebrate the borough.”

The event will run between 11am and 4pm at the Arcade Site on the corner of Hoe Street and High Street.

It will include hands-on fun such as the chance to have a go on high-tech two wheeled segways along with more sedate activities such as decorating special hearts to adorn one of three celebratory trees.

The council previously advised residents to stay away from counter-protests when the EDL marched through Walthamstow in September.

On that day 20 people were arrested when missiles were thrown from both sides and there were minor scuffles.

The Guardian approached the EDL for a comment about its second planned march last week but it has not responded.

Visit http://surveys.walthamforest.gov.uk/edl-petition/ for more on the petition.