A SPECIAL church service will be held in Eltham to step up the war against racial hatred.

The decision to hold the service was made after local church leaders were told of incidents of race attacks and harassment by their parishioners.

But Eltham police are optimistic for the future, stating the number of racist incidents in the area's schools is going down.

The mixed reports have prompted organisers to entitle the service: Eltham A Place of Racial Hatred or Racial Harmony?

Community officer Sergeant Jim Brown, who is also a Eltham clergyman, said: “We want to move Eltham on from being tagged as the racist capital of Europe. This is unfair, although we recognise the evil of racism in our society and the damage it does to peoples' lives.”

Guests at the September 9 service will include Clive Efford MP, Greenwich police borough commander Chief Superintendent Sharon Kerr and representatives from Charlton Athletic's anti-racism CARE partnership.

Brent South MP Paul Boateng will preach during the service which begins at 6.30pm at Eltham Parish Church, on the High Street.