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The campaign against unwelcome racists patrolling our coastline has gathered pace.

Extreme right wing group Britain First announced they were trying to "guard our borders" as part of so-called "Operation White Cliffs" last week.

Leader and convicted criminal Paul Golding joined his cronies by the seaside to look through some binoculars across the vast Channel.

They also made their presence known in Dover by campaigning in the town centre before heading to three tiny "viewing stations" by Samphire Hoe.

Extreme right Britain First leader Paul Golding pelted with stones in Calais

Activists believe they are "defending our country" - by sitting in camping chairs while wearing hi-vis jackets and holding a flag and a cross for a photoshoot.

They remained in Doverduring an Extinction Rebellion protest on the A2 and A20, and were spotted at Wetherspoons. There was no connection between the two events.

Dover College head teacher Gareth Doodes said: "Dover has a heritage of fighting off fascism, whether it was Hitler in the Second World War or the rioters in January 2016.

"We wanted them gone then, and everyone I’ve spoken to don’t want these people blighting our town again."

In Folkestone, a "refugees welcome" event was held by the Kent Anti-Racism Network on Sunday (September 22) in response to the small extreme right group's latest publicity stunt.

(Image: Andy Aitchison)

Around 50 people quickly convened at 10.30am on Sunny Sands beach.

'We do not need or want vigilantes patrolling our shores'

Those who wanted to make a stand travelled from across the county, especially coastal towns such as Broadstairs, Ramsgate and Deal.

Folkestone resident Suzi Ashworth said: "It was necessary to give a visible presence to the many people who believe that all humans have the right to be treated fairly and respectfully.

"We do not need or want vigilantes patrolling our shores.”

“I felt very strongly that I had to be here," added Rachel Kitchen, also from Folkestone.

"The community that I live in is a very welcoming place and it’s important that this message of welcome is heard.”

(Image: Britain First)

The event was organised by Kent Anti-Racism Network founding member Bridget Chapman.

'Even if they are a tiny number of people we cannot allow them to infect anyone else'

She said in her speech on Sunny Sands: "I don’t even want to name the small poisonous hate group that have been claiming to ‘defend’ our coastline for us.

"Locally there are a variety of feelings about immigration and asylum seekers but the out-and-out hatred peddled by these uniformed muppets doesn’t represent our amazing Kent community.

(Image: Andy Aitchison)

"Some people say that the far right should be ignored. Just ignore them, they’ll go away.

"That doesn’t work. It’s an abdication of responsibility. Poison spreads.

"Even if they are a tiny number of people we cannot allow them to infect anyone else. And I’m so proud that all of you have come out today to be the vaccine against this threat to our communities."

Paul Golding has claimed in his latest promotional video that they will be "escalating this in a big, big way" in the coming weeks and floated the idea of investing in drones to look out at sea instead of through binoculars.

KentLive is marking its first ever Diversity Week.

This is the first of a series of profiles and interviews of inspirational people from our diverse communities.

Our writers are always looking for new stories and new perspectives to ensure we're serving all of our audiences.