A CONTROVERSIAL Islamic group tonight abandoned plans for an anti-war march through a town where processions for dead British soldiers are held.

A CONTROVERSIAL Islamic group tonight abandoned plans for an anti-war march through a town where processions for dead British soldiers are held.

Islam4UK provoked anger with a scheme to march through Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire, prompting MPs to urge local authorities and the Home Secretary to step in.

The march had sparked widespread condemnation and anger. The family of Aaron McClure, a Royal Anglian soldier from Ipswich who was killed in Afghanistan, had started an online campaign against the march and were due to travel to Wootton Bassett to make a peaceful protest, while Colchester MP Bob Russell had condemned the event as “sickening”.

A statement from leader of the group Anjem Choudary said the group had "successfully highlighted the plight of Muslims in Afghanistan".

He went on: "We at Islam4UK have decided, after consultation with others including our Sheikh Omar Bakri Muhammad, that no more could be achieved even if a procession were to take place in Wootton Bassett and in light of this we would like to announce today that there will no longer be a procession through this market town.'

Islam4UK said it remained defiant and said it would continue to oppose the war in Afghanistan.

Mr Choudary said: "We once again appeal to the British public and in particular the families and friends of soldiers who have died or are currently involved in Afghanistan to engage with us in an honest dialogue.

"There is common ground between us. Just as you grieve the deaths of your sons and daughters, we too grieve the deaths of thousands of ordinary Muslim men, women and children.'

Islam4UK denied that members had planned to carry 500 empty coffins through the town.