Football grounds in England are taking part in the latest stage of a campaign to kick racism out of the game.

Ex-Liverpool and England star John Barnes and Sports Minister Richard Caborn have launched National Anti-Racism in Football Week.

Among those taking part is Exeter City Football Club where the Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Police, Sir John Evans has unveiled a hoarding.

It advertises a confidential hooligan hotline which supporters can ring to report racist incidents on the terraces.

New drive

In the past the football club's ground has been targetted by the British National Party (BNP) who distributed leaflets.

The slogan on the 20ft high hoarding reads "Exeter City Football Club and Devon and Cornwall Constabulary Kicking Racism out of Football."

At today's home game against Carlisle, volunteers handed out leaflets, balloons and T-shirts to spectators at the match.

At the Memorial Stadium in Bristol, where Rovers were taking on Macclesfield Town, the club launched a new drive against racist taunts and chants.

Assistant Manager Gary Thompson is fully behind the scheme having had first-hand experience of such prejudice himself.

A declaration against racism was publicly signed on the pitch at half time.