A 'Gathering Against Racism' event will be held on Sidmouth seafront to celebrate diversity, challenge racism and raise local public awareness.

The organisation has invited residents and friends from across East Devon for its third peaceable and silent protest on Saturday, November 7, between 2pm and 3pm.

People are invited to sit, kneel or stand with signs saying 'Gather Against Racism' or 'Stand Against Racism'.

Everybody will be asked to stand two metres apart, along the railings, and to wear a face mask.

The focus for this event is to celebrate the achievements and initiatives of a variety of local groups and individuals standing up to racism in 2020.

Amongst the groups and individuals represented will be BLM Sidmouth, BLM Axminster, BLM Exeter, Diversity In Devon, @MidDevonRambler, Maia Thomas, Helen Matthew, Stand Up to Racism Exeter and Gather Against Racism.

Paul Ryder, one of the organisers, said: "We want to continue the momentum inspired by the events in the summer in Sidmouth, Axminster and Exeter and initiatives of a number of groups and individuals across Exeter and East Devon.

"We mark these achievements.

"We celebrate diversity, stand against racism and gather to demonstrate our solidarity and commitment to continuing this conversation within our families, with our friends, in our workplaces and in our communities."

Helen Mathew, a mixed race Sidmouth resident, added: "We have joined a conversation bearing witness to the lived experience of locals from black and ethnic communities.

"We are learning about ourselves, our own bias, a fuller, more rounded history and how we can do things better.

"We continue to raise awareness and challenge racism in our community."

The gathering welcomes the 'Rambler Against Racism' Tsara Smith, who has spent every weekend walking between the communities of Mid Devon and East Devon spreading the 'Stand Up To Racism' message.

The Sidmouth BLM group has already attracted nearly 350 members of all ages from the local community who share thoughts, exchange ideas and learn from one another.

The group continues to grow and over time, hope they can have a really positive impact on the wider Sidmouth community.

This is replicated in Axminster, Exeter and there are plans to extend the network across all communities in East Devon.