A GATHERING by a right-wing extremist group at the weekend was cancelled.

Members of the National Front told police of their intention to meet outside Sunderland Civic Centre, on Saturday afternoon, to discuss setting up a Wearside branch and taking part in elections.

In response, officers planned a huge operation to maintain public order, and warned protestors to stay away.

Members of Tyne and Wear Against Racism said they would hand out leaflets to shoppers in The Bridges, and ethnic groups condemned the National Front's intention.

But before the event, the extremists pulled out, apparently due to police restrictions.

Sergeant Sean McKenna, of Sunderland police, said: "The decision was on their side - it was nothing to do with us."

l The National Front also decided against restaging a planned march through Sunderland last September, which had been banned by Home Secretary David Blunkett in August.