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Derry City Council's Hallowe'en carnival encourages Satanism and has brought a curse on the city, according to a Methodist minister.

Rev Jonathan Campbell, from Newbuildings Independent Methodist Church, has launched an online petition to stop this year's event.

He said Hallowe'en celebrations "make evil look innocent", and has appealed for families to boycott the festival.

The Hallowe'en Carnival will take place on the Foyle on 30 and 31 October.

Rev Campbell said his church was opposed to Hallowe'en because it was "one of the two major days for Satanists", and "God's word clearly condemns and warns people about celebrating or glorifying Hallowe'en or the occult".

"One of the main reasons we as a church are opposed to the carnival is that children are being disturbed.

"People are being deceived - they look on it as harmless fun, but it isn't.

"We are doing this because we care for the people of Londonderry and this is harming parents, children, families in Londonderry," he said.

The two-day festival includes family fun days, magic shows, movies and live music, and culminates in a firework display on the river.