STARS from the worlds of sport, television and politics are teaming up to campaign against racism at family festivals around the region.

Charlie Hardwick, who plays Val in Emmerdale, is opening a Show Racism the Red Card event with Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson at Ferryhill Business and Enterprise College, County Durham, on July 5 at 11am.

Sunderland and Middlesbrough football clubs are supporting the event along with Durham County Cricket Club.

There will be live music, a fairground, the Ann Frank Exhibition, face painting and questions and answers with ex-footballers John Anderson and Dean Gordon.

Young people from Ferryhill have produced anti-racism action plans and prizes will go to the best work. A similar festival is at the Lightfoot Centre, Walker, Newcastle, on July 11 from 11am to 4pm.