COMEDIAN Jeremy Hardy's show at Burnley Mechanics has been axed because organisers fear a backlash to an anti-BNP comment he made on national radio.

Council top brass have pulled the plug on the show -- which was due to take place on November 30 - following complaints about the funnyman.

Satirist Hardy recently made quips on his BBC Radio Four show "Jeremy Hardy Speaks to the Nation" suggesting the future would be brighter if the BNP and everyone who voted for them was shot in the head.

Burnley council said they had decided to cancel the gig after complaints about the comment were upheld by the BBC. The authority's director of community services Mick Cartledge said: "We have made a decision that we do not wish to host an appearance by Mr Hardy as part of his current tour.

"The decision was taken after our attention was drawn to controversial, unsavoury comments made by Mr Hardy on his national radio show which raised certain concerns.

"While not wishing to comment on what he said, the council recognises that Mr Hardy's remarks were controversial and we are aware that the BBC has upheld complaints regarding the comments.

"We recognise Mr Hardy's right to voice his sometimes controversial views and the role of satire in his act.

"However, as a result of his comments we do not feel the event will be a night of comedy and that the performance has the potential to be disruptive.

"The council has a duty of care to its staff and customers and as a result the performance has been cancelled."

But he added: "The decision was not taken on political grounds."

BNP activist John Cave was among those who complained about Hardy's comments.

He said the council should ban the comedian because he had caused offence to the thousands of BNP voters in the town.

In May last year council bosses cancelled a gig scheduled for the Mechanics by controversial comic Bernard Manning saying his act was not in keeping with their policies.

The comic also pulled out of last year's BNP festival at Sawley, near Clitheroe, after he was pressured to withdraw by fellow comedians.

Mr Hardy was today unavailable for comment.