THE far right British National Party has said it will not be fielding a candidate in a forthcoming Ribble Valley by-election.

The controversial party has been drumming up support in rural Ribble Valley by leafleting homes in the Clitheroe area.

Residents were this week urged by civic leaders to turn their backs on the BNP amid claims that it was to contest the Waddington by-election next month.

But a BNP spokesman said today the party would not be fielding a candidate and would, instead, be focusing on contesting the borough council elections next May.

Spokesman Simon Bennett, said the decision not to contest the Waddington by-election had been taken after a meeting of the BNP leadership on Tuesday night.

"It was tempting to contest the seat, but, on reflection, it was decided to hang back for the May elections, as we have slowly but surely been building support in the Clitheroe area," he said.

Residents in Clitheroe have complained after BNP leaflets targeting asylum seekers were posted through their doors, but civic leaders have called for calm and advised householders to chuck the controversial leaflets in the bin.

Nominations for the Waddington by-election, forced by the sudden resignation of Tory councillor Harry Backhouse, close tomorrow.