THE people of a small south Wales town are hitting back on Saturday at a neonazi group planning to protest at refugees being temporarily housed there.

Concerned residents of  Llantwit Major have organised a counterdemonstration after discovering that Patriotic Alternative intends to hold an anti-refugee rally in the town.

The far-right group surfaced after Vale of Glamorgan Council decided to build temporary housing for refugees on the site of a former school in Eagleswell Road.

Llantwit Major’s football club kicked off the town’s fightback on social media with a powerful statement of opposition.

The club said on its Facebook page that it was proud of having a team from diverse backgrounds, with one player being a refugee from the war in Ukraine.

Stand Up to Racism organised a meeting with about 40 residents to discuss what people from Llantwit wanted to do in response.

Since then, residents, community groups and trade unionists have set up an online WhatsApp group to co-ordinate their activities.

A leaflet of welcome and hope has been distributed to homes near the school site.

Banners and posters welcoming refugees have been produced and were taken on last Saturday's anti-racism march and rally in Cardiff.

Community groups have also been baking Welsh cakes to give out today as a gesture of welcome and hospitality to visitors.

Llantwit Major AFC play Afan Lido FC today and both sides will wear Show Racism the Red Card kit.

Stand Up to Racism is helping to organise the counterdemonstration, with those attending asked to assemble at 11am at the Llanmaes Road end of Eagleswell Road.