A BNP councillor today vowed to stand against Foreign Secretary Jack Straw at the next General Election.

Robin Evans has revealed his intention to take on the Blackburn MP less than three months after his shock victory in the Mill Hill by-election.

Coun Evans, a self-employed builder from Darwen, believes that the public is disillusioned with the current Labour administration both on Blackburn with Darwen Council and nationally.

Today, Mr Straw's election agent, council leader Bill Taylor said news of the possible challenge, probably in 2005, "did not surprise him."

He added: "Jack Straw will be the Labour Party candidate and will be standing on his exemplary and possibly unique record of being first Home Secretary then Foreign Secretary while continuing to be an excellent, listening constituency MP."

Labour has held Blackburn since 1945 and Mr Straw said: "This is a democracy. People are entitled to stand for election if they want. It's a choice for the people of Blackburn.''

Coun Evans, 38, caused controversy among the mainstream political parties at last month's meeting of Blackburn with Darwen Council's full council when he refused to publicly denounce comments made by the BNP national leader Nick Griffin that the Holocaust was nothing more than 'Allied propaganda.'

Labour councillor Don Rishton pledged to make sure everyone in Mill Hill knew of Coun Evans' stand on the Holocaust.

Coun Evans said: "People don't like being told how to vote and that they are racist for expressing an opinion."

East Lancashire BNP organiser Simon Bennett said: "Robin has a high-profile in the borough and is working hard for residents in his ward. We are building up support all the time and I see no reason why Robin won't be the candidate in the General Election."

Mr Straw has been MP for Blackburn since 1979, holding positions first in the Shadow Cabinet before becoming Home Secretary when Labour took charge in 1997. At the 2001 election, Mr Straw saw his majority reduced to 8,249, with the Conservatives coming second. He has branded the BNP as "preaching the politics of racial exclusion."

Mill Hill's sole remaining Labour councillor, Malcolm Doherty, said: "He won't win the General Election. He will come fourth. It is a safe Labour seat and Jack Straw is a very good MP."

Conservative leader on Blackburn with Darwen Council, Colin Rigby, said: "I would be astounded if Coun Evans won."