Church and mosque leaders in Bradford have united to urge people to support the Stop the War demonstration in London which has been banned by the Government.

Members of the Bradford Council for Mosques and Christian organisation the Touchstone Centre will be making their way to London for the anti-war rally in Hyde Park on February 15.

In a joint statement, Bradford Muslim and Christian leaders said: "As Christian and Muslim leaders in Bradford we urge members of churches and mosques along with others in the city to support the Stop the War March in London.

"We believe that the Government has not advanced a justifiable case for war against Iraq. Many of us are not natural protesters, but we want to express our dismay at the seemingly relentless build-up to armed conflict.

"We hope that those who can will join the demonstration and that those who cannot will support their efforts with prayer."

The statement has been signed by Sher Azam, chairman of Bradford Council for Mosques; Monsignor Kieran Heskin, Vicar-General, for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Leeds; the Right Reverend David James, Bishop of Bradford; and the Reverend Peter Whittaker, chairman of the West Yorkshire District, Methodist Church. Mr Azam said the rally would give people chance to show the country's strength of feeling against the war. "The overwhelming majority of people in Britain are against this war. There is no justification of it," said Mr Azam. "I am asking people to support this rally and pray for peace."

Culture secretary Tessa Jowell is under increasing pressure to lift a ban on the Stop the War Coalition/CND protest. Ms Jowell has refused permission on safety grounds and the risk of adverse weather.

But Mr Azam said protesters were still determined to go ahead and the mood would be peaceful. "All we are trying to do is provide the opportunity for people to call for peace," he said. "There will be no danger - this is a peace march. It will be a chance for the Government to listen to its people."

A spokesman for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport said if anti-war protesters - which the Stop The War Coalition claims will be half a million - attend the rally in rain or snow it would ruin the Royal park. He said such a ban was "not unusual" for the time of year and would apply to any protest