CONCERN was expressed today after it was revealed the far-right British National Party was to hold its annual carnival near Clitheroe for the second year running.

But confusion still surrounds the venue for the rally after the farmer whose land it was held on last year said he did not know whether it was being held there again.

A BNP spokesman would only confirm that the carnival, which is expected to attract thousands of party supporters from across the UK, was being held on a field off the A59 in the Sawley area.

And the BNP's decision to stage the event in rural Ribble Valley again has received a lukewarm reception from civic and political leaders in the area.

Phil Edwards, BNP national press officer, said: "I can confirm the festival is taking place in the Ribble Valley in the same area as last year.

"Twelve hundred people attended last year's carnival and we expect far more than that this year, perhaps as many as several thousand.

"We will be drafting in stewards from across the country, who are extremely professional and know what they're doing.

"There was no trouble at last year's event and we intend it to be the same again this year. This will be a family event featuring a bouncy castle, Punch and Judy show, fireworks display and numerous stalls selling British produce."

He confirmed that British National Party leader Nick Griffin would be attending the event, which will take place on August 16 and 17.

Ribble Valley Council leader Chris Holtom appealed to the BNP and their opponents to conduct themselves with the same restraint as they did last year.

"I am not overjoyed that the BNP is coming back to the Ribble Valley, but providing they and the landowner meet all the legal requirements it will be hard to discourage them.

"I am concerned about the cost of policing the event and the extra cost it places on both my council and Lancashire County Council, but I'm afraid this is the price we pay for democracy."

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans said he was very disappointed to hear the BNP had decided to hold the carnival in the area.

"I'm disappointed that the BNP has targeted this area, particularly given its poor performance in the local elections.

"Sadly precious police time will now be directed towards policing the festival rather than being utilised in Ribble Valley villages where people rarely see a police presence.

"We want the Ribble Valley to be known for staging an event like the Royal Lancashire Show, not a British National Party rally."

Chief Inspector Bob Ford, of Eastern Division Police, said: "We have been notified by the BNP that it intends holding its festival at Sawley again. Planning is at a very early stage, but we will be liasing with the BNP and will plan our resources accordingly.

"Our main aim, like last year, is to ensure public safety on what is a very busy road and reassure people in the area that we plan for every eventuality.

"We have no information as yet whether the Anti Nazi League intends demonstrating at the site, but we remain open-minded."

Last year's carnival was held on a field at Dockber Laithe Farm, owned by John Barnes, who said he did not know if the event was being held on his land again.

"My son runs that side of the business and he's currently unavailable, so I can't confirm whether it is being held on my field or not," he said.