A BLACKBURN minister is calling on the heads of the Church of England to back him in a bid to boycott racism and far right political parties like the BNP.

Reverend Simon Bessant, director of Mission for the Blackburn Diocese, was today tabling a motion at the General Synod - the 'parliament' of the Church Of England.

He vowed to ask members to support his strongly-backed private members' motion which condemns the 'sin of racism' and shows the Church of England's commitment to a multiracial and multicultural society.

Mr Bessant said: "It is so important and I am passionate about it. A lot of work has been done in our communities to improve things and we don't need the BNP. Their appeal is based upon fear and mistrust."

But Burnley BNP councillor Len Starr refuted the claims that his party was racist and said the church should 'keep its nose out'.

He said: "I don't accept the BNP is a racist party. The church should keep its nose out of politics and worry about itself first."

Mr Bessant's motion asks the 630 members of the Synod, which meets twice a year, to agree that any political movement that seeks to divide communities 'is an affront to the nature of God and is a grave danger to harmonious community relationships'.

It continues: "Voting for and/or supporting a party that offers racist policies is incompatible with Christian discipleship."

The success of private members' motions in the General Synod depend on the support of members in three Houses - bishop, clergy and laity. Strong support for Mr Bessant's motion, which placed it second on a list of potential debates, means it could be debated at the Synod session in London this week or at the following session in York, in July.

If his motion is discussed and passed by the General Synod then it will become the Church of England's policy to condemn the BNP and other far right political parties.

Mr Bessant, who has been a vicar for 12 years, said: "The success of the BNP in local elections in Lancashire is a growing concern for our churches and many other people.

"My main concern is the damage to society that such simplistic thinking can do by undermining the good work achieved in the area of social cohesion.

"The BNP's policies of voluntary repatriation are wrong, not just politically, but they are against Christianity. By getting a national statement I want all the clergy in East Lancashire to say the Church of England have made a clear statement and taken a clear lead.

"Many Asian people are born here, their home is here and the sooner we get on with working together the better."

Mr Bessant was vicar in Shadsworth for seven years before becoming director of mission for the Blackburn Diocese, which he has has spent six years doing so far. His duties include working to improve relations between Christian communities and other religions and faiths.