A POLICE escort will accompany women from the Redbridge-based Muslim Disabled Association on a peace tour of east London boroughs starting at Ilford Town Hall.

Two officers from Ilford police will join the bus on its tour of Redbridge, Newham, Waltham Forest, and Barking and Dagenham, on August 20, to promote good relations between the faiths.

Tour organiser Abida Iqbal explained that after the recent bombings in London she wanted her group to help promote peace and that they had always had a close relationship with the police.

She said: "We should be together. I wanted to do something to bring the communities and all the faiths and cultures together. Three years ago Ilford police officers raised £500 for our charity and at the time we didn't have any money at all."

Around 50 members are expected on the tour which starts at 11am, and the group will make stops at busy centres along the route to leaflet passers-by.

Mrs Iqbal said: "We are going to give the right message and we are working on the leaflets at the moment because we want a peaceful Britain and I am saying that to all our members."

A police spokeswoman stressed that the escort was entirely routine and that they did not expect any trouble on the tour.

She said: "We are expecting a large group of disabled people."