HUNDREDS of cannabis campaigners are expected to descend upon Durham as part of an international protest later this month.

As part of global ‘420’ celebrations, activists will visit the historic city on Thursday, April 20 in a show of opposition to the continuing criminalisation of the Class B drug.

Despite being heralded as a champion of their cause, County Durham and Darlington’s Police, Crime and Victims Commissioner Ron Hogg rejected organisers’ invite to speak at the event.

In 2015, Mr Hogg told The Northern Echo that Durham Constabulary would not proactively target cannabis users, attracting support from those devoted to decriminalising marijuana.

Organisers said he would be warmly welcomed at the Durham protest but Mr Hogg said he could not support their efforts, warning those attending they would be “dealt with” if caught lighting up in public.

He added: “I will be very clear – cannabis use is unlawful and I discourage what these people are seeking to do, it is not helping anyone.”

George Hope, vice-chair of the Wear Valley Cannabis Club, said marijuana use would not be encouraged at the protest, which will feature a variety of speakers, stalls and acts.

Mr Hope, 36, admitted the authorities had not been consulted on the upcoming event but promised a trouble-free environment, saying: “I can understand some fears but a lot of them come from misinformation.

“I’d like people to come along and hear from the range of people who use cannabis for medical and recreational reasons.”

The 420 movement, dating back to the 1960s, sees pro-cannabis events staged worldwide every April 20.

For more information about the first Durham protest, taking place from noon at a location only identified via the postcode DH1 3RG, visit Durham 420 on Facebook.