MAINSTREAM parties in Burnley today claimed that the tide had turned against the British National Party after the Liberal Democrats won a narrow victory in the Hapton with Park by-election.

Peter McCann won the seat with 788 votes, just 11 more than the BNP's Andy Kenyon.

It was a bad night for Labour, who were expected to do well, but who were pushed into third place. Their candidate Andy Tatchell received 679 votes.

The result means that Labour now have a majority of just one seat on the borough council and also that the BNP are no longer the official opposition.

Both the BNP and the Liberal Democrats now have eight seats each.

Mr McCann, who lives on the Barclay Hills estate in Burnley, said: "This is an absolutely fantastic result for myself and for the Liberal Democrats and shows that the tide has turned against the British National Party."

Party leader and former mayor Gordon Birtwistle added: "This result shows that the rot has stopped and that people are now returning to the mainstream parties."

Labour leader Stuart Caddy said: "The Liberals fought a vigorous campaign and I congratulate them.

"Its good to see people voting for a mainstream party once again and I hope this means the tide has turned against the BNP. They are now an opposition rather than the opposition which is good news."

The BNP's Simon Bennett said: "We are disappointed but will be back to fight to win, as we always do, at the next election.

"This was a narrow loss for us and shows we still have a great deal of support."

Conservative Alan Marsden polled 62 votes and Independent Patricia Stinton 76. Turnout was just over 53 per cent.