THE controversial British National Party is to field a candidate in Leigh at the local elections for the first time.
Richard Close is to stand in the Leigh West ward against six other candidates on June 10.
Mr Close, of Gidlow Lane, Wigan, is one of three BNP supporters hoping to win election to Wigan Council.
Mr Close will fight Leigh West against three Community Action Party candidates and three Labour nominees, including Leader of the Council, Lord Smith. Other BNP candidates will contest Council wards in Abram and Orrell.
The June 10 election will also include nine European Parliament candidates and, for the first time, local people will cast their votes by post instead of at polling stations.
MP Andy Burnham said: "We are working hard to develop a postive, forward-looking agenda for Leigh with projects like Leigh Sports Village. The BNP poses a threat to all that with their far right extremist agenda.
"The people of Leigh have always rejected politics of that kind and I hope for the good of the town they will continue to do so."
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