AFC Telford match is called off

AFC Telford United's first match back in the top tier of non-league football was today called off amid safety fears surrounding a march by the English Defence League.

Police chiefs contacted the club last night and asked for the game against Luton Town to be called off because they said they could not guarantee safety at the ground.

But Telford's police chiefs today moved to reassure residents, pledging that officers would deal with trouble "swiftly and robustly".

Despite the message from the police, dozens of business owners across Wellington and Oakengates will shut up shop on Saturday with some boarding up their windows as a precaution.

Telford chairman Lee Carter said the planned march had "struck fear into the whole community."