The BBC's Polly Billington: "Tension in Dover has been running high"

The restriction has been imposed by Dover District Council on the advice of the police, who say it is necessary to maintain public order.

There have been several eruptions of violence between local residents and asylum seekers in recent weeks.

Kent wants other local authorities to house refugees

Tensions have been building up because of the number of refugees concentrated in the Dover area, while they wait for the outcome of their applications to stay in Britain.

The government is trying to alleviate the problem by dispersing asylum seekers to other local authorities across the country.

Right-wing threat

Kent police called for the ban as a result of reports that extreme right-wing groups could be planning a rally in the port to exploit existing tensions.

Inspector Dave Berry said: "We did get notification that there was going to be a National Front march protesting about the asylum seekers in Dover.

"As a result of that the local council took our advice and issued a ban on all marches in Dover concerning asylum seekers which was backed by the Home Office and extended for a period of three months.

"Extra police officers have been put on in Dover in light of the information we have received. There were no incidents."

Inspector Berry said that around 14 National Front protesters had turned up in the town but left peacefully.

A National Front spokesman said the group had decided to call off their march so as not to jeopardise their "partnership" with the police, but there were still plans for a future event on 18 September.