THURROCK played host to a whistle stop visit from the "Hope not Hate" tour of Britain on Saturday afternoon.

The Daily Mirror's red double Decker bus made its way to Kilverts Field near Grays Beach on the first leg of a 15 day nationwide tour, which will end in Glasgow.

Thurrock MP Andrew Mackinlay, said: "Community relations owe a great to deal to the Mirror for this campaign. It's allowing local people to make a powerful stand against racism."

A host of star celebrities have signed up to the campaign urging people to turn their backs on the politics of hate and celebrate modern British society.

Stars such as Corinne Bailey Rae, Goldie Lookin' Chain, the Sugababes, Sir Alan Sugar, Beverley Knight, Just Jack, Shilpa Shetty and Brian Harvey as well as footballers Rio Ferdinand and David Beckham are backing the campaign.