ORGANISERS of an under-threat St George’s Day parade billed as the biggest in England were celebrating today after securing funding that could see the march go ahead.

Stone Cross St George’s Day Association were denied funding for the West Bromwich parade by Sandwell Council, which severed ties with the event over claims it had been infiltrated by racists.

Up to 15,000 people have enjoyed the event in previous years, which the local authority had backed with nearly £10,000.

Parade organisers have repeatedly insisted they had no political agenda and vowed to try to get the decision overturned at a full council meeting tomorrow.However, Chris Kelly, the chairman and managing director of local truck company Keltruck, has stepped in to get the march up and running again.

He said: “The fact that one or two people from the BNP decided to go along last year is no reason for the council to ban the march.”

He said he still wanted to see the Stone Cross Association fund-raise, but he would step in to make up any shortfall in paying for security for the march.

Trevor Collins, from the association, welcomed the news, but added: “We would still like to keep the council on board.”