LABOUR has started electioneering in a Blackburn ward - a year before the next vote takes place.

As their counterparts in other parts of East Lancashire were still coming to terms with results from last week's ballot, Blackburn's Labour group members were already setting their sights on the 2004 count, determined to oust the borough's sole BNP councillor.

Blackburn with Darwen was the only council in East Lancashire not to hold elections this year. Boundary changes mean it will hold all-out elections next year. And Labour Party bosses say they determined people will not be 'hoodwinked' into voting for the BNP like 'they did in Burnley last week.'

A leaflet, published by Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Bill Taylor, claims voters in Mill Hill were victims of the 'big lie' when they voted Coun Robin Evans into power during last November's by-election.

He lists several statements he says the BNP published to voters ahead of the poll last year, and adds underneath, what he claims to be the truth.

It goes on to urge people to remember Labour's achievements in the borough next year.

Because each voter will have up to three votes each, there is concern that people may use two votes for their traditional party and one vote as a protest vote for the BNP -- as people did in three wards during the all-out elections in 2002 in Burnley.

But that does not explain why the BNP went on to take six more seats at last week's elections in Burnley, where most wards were electing just one councillor.

Coun Taylor said: "The important thing is people in Blackburn with Darwen do not find themselves hoodwinked like the people in Burnley were into thinking the BNP are a respectable party.

"The things they said last time have been proved to be wrong. As a responsible party, I think it is our job to make sure people know the truth before they vote, and that people have a real choice to make."

Simon Bennett, area organiser for the BNP, said: "To say people have been hoodwinked by us is patronising and shows the arrogance of Labour. We will be fighting the next election."

Coun Evans beat Labour candidate, former councillor Gail Barton, by 16 votes.