PARTY leaders launched a scathing attack on the British National Party after the far-right party failed to speak at last night's Burnley council budget meeting.

All the political parties with the exception of the BNP -- which has seven councillors -- and the three-strong Independent group, spoke at the meeting, which saw a council tax rise for the borough of 5.1 per cent.

Alternative budgets from the Conservatives, who proposed no rise in tax for 2004/05, and the Liberal Democrats, who put forward plans for 3.5 per cent, were both defeated.

This year's increase will take the bill, including precepts from the county council, fire service and police, to £1,289.21 for a Band D property . The average charge will be £982 and the most common, Band A, will be £859.46.

Council tax payers in Padiham, Cliviger and Worsthorne will pay slightly more due to precepts issued by the town or parish councils.

The council has kept the council tax rise to around 5 per cent despite having to find £1million in savings, a position worsened by the lower than expected grant from the Government.

Despite the difference in opinion over the budget, all party leaders were united in condemning the BNP for failing to put forward proposals.

Conservative leader Coun Peter Doyle said: "The extremists have not learnt anything in the past 12 months. They are telling people they are going to run the council and yet they do not even understand the finances.

"How can they say they represent the people of Burnley when they do not have a view on the budget. I find it astounding."

Coun Peter Kenyon, the party's executive member for best value and resources who put forward the budget, said: "I hope people who elected the BNP councillors do not find it acceptable that no proposals have come from that party."

And council leader Coun Stuart Caddy accused the BNP of turning up to the meeting to their favourite theme tune 'Silence is Golden.'

Liberal Democrat leader Coun Gordon Birtwistle said the people of Burnley were starting to realise the BNP had made 'empty promises.'

BNP group leader Coun Len Starr refused to comment on either the budget proposals or the criticisms.