COMEDIAN Bernard Manning, a fairly regular performer in East Lancashire, has been banned from bringing his controversial brand of humour to Burnley.

The local council decided to cancel his show at the Mechanics Theatre on October 11.

The authority, which owns and runs the venue, feels the nature of his act is not in keeping with its commitment to promoting and treating people with respect. Mr Manning is not known for his adherence to political correctness and has been involved in controversy before. An ambassador for racial harmony he is not.

Burnley is a town which has its own tensions and problems. Nothing could demonstrate that more than last week's local elections, which resulted in the British National Party becoming the council's official opposition party with eight seats.

With that in mind, the council must be right in taking this stand, irrespective of whether the decision was made before or because of the events of polling day.

Any event with a potential for causing unrest, blameless though Mr Manning may be, should not go ahead until the town addresses its problems.

Yes, the bigots may seize on this decision as more fuel for their arguments. But it is those same bigots who have helped cause the problems in the first place.