A SKINHEAD Reunion group claims a poster urging black voters to take part in the EU referendum is demonising them as white thugs.

Mark Cordingley, one of the organisers of the Great Skinhead Reunion, said the Vote is a Vote poster discriminates against their style of dress which has "nothing to do with being racist".

It has been created by advert agency Saatchi and Saatchi for Operation Black Vote - a campaign which encourages black and ethnic minority people to have their say in politics.

It describes its message of "an elderly Asian British woman being berated by an aggressive thug" as one which shows that everyone has the same voting power.

The annual Great Skinhead Reunion attracts hundreds from all over the world for three days of reggae, ska, punk and two-tone music. It returns to Volks Bar in Madeira Drive, Brighton, from Friday until Sunday. [June 3 to 5]

Mr Cordingley said there has never been any trouble from the group - mostly a collection of men in their 50s and 60s - who meet to share stories and reminisce, typically dressed in Harrington jackets and Dr Martens shoes.

The former lorry driver-turned chauffeur said: "Since this poster came out I've been called a racist simply because of my clothes I chose to wear. It's going to cause major problems. It is offensive, suggesting we are racist just because our look and the clothes we wear. We are not.

"My personal opinion is to vote leave because we need to strengthen our borders."

Magnus Djaba, chief executive of Saatchi and Saatchi London, said the message hits home in every community and was about democracy, not race.

Operation Black Vote director Simon Woolley said: "These potential voters could easily decide one of the biggest questions of the last three decades - whether we remain in the EU or leave."

This year's reunion coincides with a far right march planned by the South Coast Resistance group and supported by the Pie and Mash Squad called No More Refugees due to take place on Saturday. Mr Cordingley said his members do not support this message and will not be getting involved.