Euro MP Christine Oddy will give her backing to new moves to combat racism in Coventry when she attends the launch of the city's Anti-Racial Harassment Programme on Monday 18 January.

Details of the Programme will be outlined by the Coventry Racial Equality Council, which has been charged with ensuring its success.

Later, before the formal launch by the Lord Mayor, Cllr Mrs Maggie Rosher, partners in the Programme, including Coventry City Council, the West Midlands Police and Coventry Health Authority, will tell guests how they will be contributing to tackling the problem.

The event will be given Government backing by Mike O'Brien, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Home Office, who is MP for North Warwickshire.

Ms Oddy said:

"This Programme promises to be a significant step forward in challenging racism and racial harassment in Coventry and I am pleased that so many organisations have shown their commitment to tackling something which is an affront to the vast majority of people, whatever their race or colour."