Manchester Sikhs have joined hands with other faith community and business leaders to demonstrate a untied front to the British National Party (BNP)

As the fears grow on the strength the BNP is gaining and the forthcoming European elections are nearing, to be held on 4^th June, faith leaders have taken the initiative to urge voters not to vote for the BNP

The Manchester Diocese of the Church of England at the city's Cathedral held a signing of a pledge to fight the BNP.

BNP leader Nick Griffin is standing in the North West as a candidate for the Euro elections. 

The BNP described the pledge as "bullying, intimidation and blackmail"

The pledge reads: "We oppose the racist and fascist BNP who stand to undermine 'our' Manchester."

Signatories include the Bishop of Bolton, the Bishop of Middleton and South African-born Rogers Govender, Dean of Manchester Cathedral.

The anti-BNP pledge is being backed by the UK's only black cathedral dean

"We say 'no' to the BNP's view of the world."

Others signatures are from Greater Manchester's Jewish, Muslim and Sikh communities groups.

But Simon Darby, deputy leader of the BNP, described the action as "wholly disgusting and unnecessary."