FASCISTS and racists were heavily outnumbered by counter-demonstrators when they staged two marches in Yorkshire on Saturday.

In York, a racist march was staged purportedly to oppose the prosecution of British troops who committed crimes in the north of Ireland.

The march was attended by about 30 people made up of the usual rag-tag gathering of members of Ukip, the Democratic Football Lads’ Alliance, Veterans Against Terrorism and UK Freedom Marches.

A counter-protest staged by York Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) was supported by more than 100 people.

Jane Carter of York SUTR said it had been organised “to alert people to the true nature of this alliance of racists and fascists who had recently marched in Leeds, shortly after which a mosque and a Sikh gurdwara were fire-bombed.”

The counter-protest was supported by the Green Party, York Trades Council, union Unite and anti-racists from Leeds, Scarborough and Hull.

Ms Carter said: “It is always satisfying to outnumber the far right and with over 100 anti-racist protesters we showed yet again that there are many, many more of us than them, but there is no room for complacency.

“With [far-right activist] Tommy Robinson being backed by the far right in the US and a mooted speaking tour being planned, they are gathering support and their divisive racist tactics need to be opposed.”

Racists and fascists who staged a Britain First rally in Huddersfield on Saturday were similarly outnumbered.

Roger Keely of Huddersfield SUTR said a maximum of 10 Britain First supporters handed out leaflets in the town centre. Among them was the group’s leader Paul Golding, who was recently released from prison for racially aggravated harassment.

“At least 40 people were already waiting when we first spotted the union-flag baseball caps outside Huddersfield station,” said Mr Keely.

“A Momentum meeting the previous evening had played a crucial role in getting the word out,” he added.

“From beginning to end they had to face a counter-demonstration much more numerous than their own, which was swelled by passers-by who were disgusted with the open appearance of racists and nazis on Huddersfield streets.”