BURNLEY's town centre marketing manager has slammed the British National Party after he was quoted on an election leaflet.

Ian Stackhouse said he was "disgusted" that his name had been used in association with the party on their promotional material for the local elections.

Mr Stackhouse is quoted as saying how encouraged he was to see so many business coming into the town centre and hundreds of jobs being created -- quotes which the BNP say proves worries about the effect of their election are unfounded.

Mr Stackhouse, however, said the quote had been twisted by the far-right party for their own ends and taken completely out of context.

He said: "It has come to my attention that a quote I gave to a local newspaper some time ago is being used by the BNP on their local election promotional literature. I would like to make it clear that I have not given permission for usage of this quote and that I do not endorse the party in any way.

"In fact, it totally disgusts me that my name has been used in this way and I wish to put it on record that I totally disassociate myself from this party."

He added: "The BNP damages the image and reputation of the town and the fact that they have councillors elected puts Burnley in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. It is far from a positive message to be sending out to businesses."

BNP spokesman Simon Bennett said: "We do not suggest that Mr Stackhouse is in any way a supporter of our party we merely used the quote to illustrate that some of the claims made about the party before our councillors were elected are unfounded."