AS Dudley braces itself for the third anti-mosque protest in the space of five months, the town's Muslim community has spoken out to "dispel myths" about its plans.

The EDL and Britain First have branded Dudley Central Mosque’s proposed new development a "mega mosque" but mosque spokesman Amjid Raza said the term was simply "scaremongering".

Mr Raza explained that the prayer hall would take up 25 per cent of the building and the remaining 75 per cent would consist of a sports hall, community centre, training and enterprise centre and car parking.

The latter would include two big halls to be used for festivals, five-a-side football, basketball, squash and cricket nets, which Mr Raza said would benefit the wider community by presenting "an opportunity for people to mingle together to come to a better understanding".

Addressing concerns about the size of the development, Mr Raza said: "We’ve reduced the footprint by 16 per cent since the 2007 approved plan.

“We listened to the people and made sure this reflects their concerns. We’ve tried to make it fit in with the landscape."

In a further bid to promote a better understanding between communities, the mosque will host an exhibition at Dudley Town Hall on June 5 and 6 from 9am to 6pm Exhibition Islam will be a free interactive and educational exhibition open to people of all ages, backgrounds and faiths.

Visitors can share their own values and beliefs and marvel at the many artefacts and models on display.

The exhibition will come a week before a group - calling themselves All Football Fans / Firms March Against Islamisation (AFFFMAI) − hold a protest against the mosque in Dudley on Saturday June 13.

Although the group has yet to submit a written notice to hold a public procession, which is a legal requirement, the march is expected to take place between noon and 2pm and take the same route as February's EDL demonstration.

West Midlands Police will hold a meeting at the Council House, Priory Road, on Wednesday June 3 at 6pm to update the community on any developments in the lead up to the protest.