Organisers of a Black Lives Matters peaceful protest planned for Felixstowe on Saturday, are determined the vigil will be trouble free and respectful.

The 12 women have worked with community groups, the town council and police to hold the event, which starts at 2pm. They are holding the vigil to collectively challenge racism in Felixstowe alone and representing Black Lives Matter.

One of the organisers, Victoria Baker, told Nub News: "All organisers involved cannot emphasise enough that we want this event to be peaceful and respectful and have absolutely no intention of allowing any trouble to be caused.

"We will be monitoring social distancing, have masks and hand sanitizer available for those attending.

"We really hope that it will be a great turn out and result in a powerful yet respectful stand against racism."

The proceedings will start at the spa gardens where a few words will be spoken before starting off the speeches.

The vigil will then kneel in silence for 8minutes 46seconds as a mark of respect to George Floyd, the man killed by a police officer who knelt on his neck for that amount of time, and subsequently sparked worldwide protests.

A march along the promenade is then expected to conclude at the Martello park area.

"We felt it was something each of us felt so strongly about and that if we could make even the smallest difference it was better than staying quiet," added Victoria.

"We have reached out to our local black community and have had a very positive response, and have had many offers to speak on the day."

A town council spokesman said: "Whilst we respect the right to protest we are keen to keep the demonstrators and the people of Felixstowe safe from the coronavirus and ask everyone to adhere to the government's social distancing guidelines at all times.

"Our local police team will be present on the day and they expect a peaceful protest with social distancing observed, as happened at the event in Ipswich on 6 June."

Victoria insisted that was exactly what they ere looking to do and added: "We respect social distancing and have taken measures to ensure this is upheld."

A separate group describing themselves as patriots, have called on volunteers to stand guard of the War Memorial on Felixstowe seafront

They plan to form up at 1pm and stay until at lest 5pm when the march has passed.

An organiser, calling himself David G Smith, said: "I am hopeful that their intentions are only peaceful but I ask that a few patriots are at hand to diffuse any attempt to emulate what has happened all across the country."