THE BRITISH National Party has ruled out putting forward a candidate for a council seat in Bolton during the May local elections.

Leaders of the far-right party were rumoured to be gearing up for an election campaign in at least one town ward, possibly Farnworth.

But a party spokesman dismissed the suggestion. He said that although standing in Bolton was considered, the BNP felt it should spend another 12 months building up support before fielding a candidate.

He said: "The Bolton branch is in its infancy.

"Members did consider putting forward a candidate, but they now want to concentrate on getting ready to fight a campaign next year.

"The party will be focusing on other areas in the North-west. It will be fighting for other seats across the region, including 13 in Burnley and two in Wigan."

The party already holds five seats on local councils. In January it won a shock election victory in Halifax. Last year, it won one seat in Blackburn and three in Burnley.

THe BNP rejects accusations that it is a racist party.

But anti-racism groups in Bolton say the party would not be welcome in town.

Beverley Bernard, acting chair of the Commission for Racial Equality, said: "The current electoral influence of the BNP is unprecedented.

"Racist parties are on the verge of gaining a hold on a significant number of voters."

He added: "No-one should under-estimate the threat this represents to democratic politics and social cohesion."