RESIDENTS took to the streets of Darlington to promote peace and unity within the town’s communities.

Now in its fourth year, the Darlington Walk for Peace sees residents and community groups march round the town centre spreading messages of tolerance and understanding.

Dozens of people braved the cold, drizzly weather on Sunday to join in the march which started from the Friends Meeting House on Skinnergate and took in town centre landmarks such as Joseph Pease Place and St Cuthbert’s Church.

The walk also stops off at several places of worship along the route.

Organiser Matthew Snedker said he organised the first walk as a one-off in direct response to a hate attack suffered by a friend and his family.

But he said that since peace had still not been achieved, the walk would continue every year.

He said: “We are overwhelmed by the support from all of the faith groups and the community in the town.

“I am involved with various different groups and the first problem comes from ignorance.

“That ignorance can be furthered by fear and some people react to fear by becoming violent.

“That is why we are trying to raise awareness; to remove that ignorance and become one community.”

Mr Snedker said that on the whole Darlington was a peaceful town but more could always be done to bring communities together.

He said that there seems to be less tolerant attitude among some people since the country voted to leave the European Union.

Mr Snedker said: “Brexit has brought up fear.

“People are fearing for the future and some are being a bit more selfish, realising that it will be harder.

“Whether you are for or against it (Brexit), it has made the country more unstable.”

Mr Snedker said that divisions within society are evidenced by the government’s figures on hate crime which show that the number of reported incidents have doubled since the referendum.

The Walk for Peace was supported by faith groups, union representatives and community groups and Mr Snedker said he was very pleased with the turn out.