AN anti-racism campaign is gathering pace following the involvement of a major North-East employer.

Darlington-based Cummins Limited has agreed to support the Hope Not Hate initiative being run this week by the Trade Union Congress (TUC). The campaign is taking place in County Durham following an increase in activity by the British National Party (BNP).

Tim Millwood, Cummins plant manager, said: "We want to make Cummins a great place to work.

"We believe it can't be a great place to work if it's not a diverse workplace and if you don't treat each other with respect."

Cummins last month won an award for promoting diversity at the North-East Equality Awards.

Linda Hughes, TUC regional development worker, said: "It's really important that employers and unions work together on this issue and take it seriously.

"Cummins has a very good diversity record."

Ms Hughes said racism needed to be tackled wherever it occurred.

"It's ludicrous that someone should be thought of differently because of the colour of their skin.

"In several areas of the region, we've had the BNP fielding candidates at the local elections and they've come quite close to getting elected, especially in Chilton.

"I spent time in Chilton and I was absolutely shocked to see how many good, working-class families were displaying BNP posters in their windows."