PLANS by the National Front to march in a North-East city next month will be thwarted by an existing ban.

The right-wing party wanted to march through Sunderland city centre to Seaburn last Saturday to protest about asylum seekers.

Home Secretary David Blunkett banned the march because of fears of disorder, although Northumbria Police allowed a small rally at a park.

Activists said afterwards they would try to march in the city on September 15.

But last night a spokeswoman for Northumbria Police said: "The ban lasts for three months.''