AN annual event celebrating diversity aims to highlight hate crime.

Halton Against Hate takes place from 11am to 3pm at Green Oaks Shopping Centre in Widnes on Thursday, October 26.

The event will include music, dance and performance as well as a range of speakers.

Halton Youth Cabinet came up with the idea last year.

Halton member of youth parliament Ewan Jago, 14, a Runcorn pupil at Ormiston Bolingbroke Academy, said: “I believe it is vital to raise awareness about hate crimes and social cohesion.

“It comes in an age where the youth has access to many of forms of social media in particular.

“Hate should never be accepted anywhere.”

A wide variety of organisations including Hope Not Hate, Cheshire Police, Cheshire Fire and Rescue, GLOW LGBT+ Youth group, Halton Speak Out and Unison will be taking part with stalls.

Halton Council, Unison and a wide range of groups across Halton have helped to organise the day.

Halton Cllr Tom McInerney, board member for children, young people and families, said: “It is commendable that young people want to organise such an event.

“It was a great success last year, let’s encourage the whole community to support it.

“It would be brilliant if people could find some time on the day to pop down and send a message that there’s no home for hate in Halton.”