A PUPIL arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred by sticking a BNP sign on a bus window has been told he will face no further action from police.

The 15-year-old Mansfield High School pupil was arrested after the incident on board a bus in Stanley Street, Brierfield, last month.

The Crown Prosecution Service has now told police that the boy, who has not been named, should not face any charges. He was suspended from school for a week and banned from travelling on the buses.

Brierfield Police community support officer, Des Wrest, stopped the 876 bus on November 26 after seeing A4 papers with the letters BNP being stuck in a top-deck window.

Following an internal investigation by the school, two other pupils were also suspended for two days and another was taught in isolation.

Headteacher Peter Dixon said: "I am satisfied that I have dealt with it on the basis of students doing something stupid and learning from it and it sends a clear message to youngsters that we will not tolerate racist behaviour."

The incident has led to a debate over free speech with Burnley BNP leader Coun Len Starr set to table a motion before council next week.

Coun Starr will argue: "In the interests of community cohesion, the council supports the right of all its citizens in the borough to show their support for any legitimate political party."

However, those opposed to the far-right group, which has seven members on the council, claim support for the BNP doesn't promote community cohesion.

The Labour party's Coun Peter Kenyon, executive member for best value and resources, said: "It is quite clearly the right of anyone to show the support for a legitimate political party but the idea that support for the BNP is in the interests of community cohesion is laughable."

Coun Starr will table his motion at a meeting of the council on Wednesday.