FAR right political group the British National Party has been slammed for targeting Huncoat in a leaflet campaign.

The group has highlighted issues including the controversial plans for a waste treatment centre on the site of the former Huncoat Power Station.

The leaflet, titled 'BNP: Huncoat First,' is thought to be the first time the BNP has campaigned in Huncoat and claims the party enjoys 'good support' in the village.

But today residents' groups and councillors claimed the party was clutching at a big local issue to score political points. Coun Brendan Shiel, Huncoat ward representative, said: "They have played no role at all so we don't know what they are doing unless they're just trying to keep the voters warm.

"They're just latching onto an issue - the people who are in the working group have real concerns. They are just making political capital out of it."

In 2003 a task group was set up in Hyndburn to bring Asian and white communities together, after the BNP began campaigning in the borough.

The group had laid out plans to target key wards in the run-up to this year's elections. According to residents at the time, the group targeted Netherton in Great Harwood, Rishton, Peel and Barnfield.

Today Sheila Parkinson, vice-chair of the Huncoat Neighbourhood Project, hit out at the BNP for campaigning on the issue away from the protest group already set up.

She said: "We should just have one group campaigning. There shouldn't be different groups, they should all join together as one force.

"I have never heard of the BNP campaigning in Huncoat before but I do know there are a few people who support them. This is the first time I have seen them play an active role."

Ross Martin, the Hyndburn organiser of the BNP, said the group had only distributed a small number of leaflets in the Huncoat area, but are hoping to start a big push next week.

The party have even suggested fielding candidates in the next Hyndburn local elections.

Mr Martin said: "We do have a number of members there and a lot of supporters so we thought we would do a campaign.

"Every little bit helps, even though there are other groups as well."