BURNLEY was in the national spotlight yesterday as Tory leader Michael Howard visited the town to make a speech slamming the BNP and calling for tighter controls on immigration.

A heavy police presence had formed around the Keirby Hotel, in Keirby Walk, with metal barriers in place hours before Mr Howard's appearance.

He was greeted by a group of more than 25 BNP protesters, including some who had travelled from Mr Howard's Folkestone constituency, who waved banners and jeered.

BNP leader Nick Griffin had earlier tried to get into the hotel to hear the speech but was turned away by police who were stopping anyone but invited guests and the media.

Inside a function room at the Keirby, Mr Howard sat on a stage among Conservative Party members, including Burnley Council's Tory group leader, Coun Peter Doyle, in front of a bright blue back-drop.

Simon Woolley from Operation Black Vote, a body that encourages people from ethnic communities to take part in politics, addressed the audience first. He was applauded for backing Mr Howard's tough stance against the BNP.

He also praised the efforts being made by the Conservative Party to encourage people from ethnic minorities to get involved in politics.

There was even more rapturous applause as the Tory leader rose to speak.

He said the race riots in Burnley in 2001 had turned the spotlight on the town and its problems, which he said included deprivation, ill-health, high levels of teenage pregnancy, low levels of educational achievement and high levels of crime.

But he said his reason for coming to Burnley was to address the rise of the BNP, which he described as "a stain on our democratic way of life".

He said: "Let us not mince our words. The policies of the BNP are based on bigotry and hatred. This is not a political movement. This is a bunch of thugs dressed up as a political party. But they have enjoyed electoral success beyond their wildest dreams."

Mr Howard was given a standing ovation and local party members tried to catch a brief word, or have a picture taken, before he was whisked out of the hotel and driven away.

The former Home Secretary's next stop was Burnley Wood One Stop Shop to meet people attending a weekly lunch club, where he received a warm welcome from about 40 local residents, mostly pensioners.

He spent almost an hour talking to them about the town and what they see as issues facing it - and even served the sponge and custard to diners.

Speaking as he left the club Mr Howard said: "I was delighted to come here and see the good work happening in Burnley. There are a number of people working hard to bring people together and to improve the lives of people in the town and I am very impressed."