Scores of Wellington businesses to be boarded up

Pubs and shops will be closed and boarded up on Saturday in Wellington over fears of trouble arising from anger over a march by the English Defence League through the town.

Market traders in the town have also been told by their manager it will be shut for the day as fears rise of violence in the backdrop of ongoing riots in London and Birmingham.

Town centre pubs and shops, including high street chains like WH Smith, Iceland and more, will be shut for the day or closing early, costing potentially thousands of pounds in lost trade.

Iceland bosses said the store would be taking alcohol off sale on Friday, the day before the march is due to take place, then shutting at midday on Saturday.

More than 400 people are expected to descend on the town between 1pm and 3pm as part of a planned protest.

Ed Lowe, landlord of The Plough Inn, King Street, said: "It's the last thing you want. It's going to be a bit of a ghost town on Saturday."