RESIDENTS were today urged to turn their backs on the British National Party after volunteers began leafleting homes in the Ribble Valley.

The move came as the far right party confirmed it was likely to field a candidate in the forthcoming Waddington by-election.

Clitheroe Mayor Mary Robinson said: "There is no room for these extremists in Clitheroe.

"All I can suggest is if people have received the leaflets and find them offensive then destroy them.

"The price we pay for democracy is that political parties have a measure of freedom they wouldn't have elsewhere, but people should stay calm and not overreact."

Ribble Valley Council leader Chris Holtom said: "I have heard the BNP intends fielding a candidate. The council has received no nominations at all. In the unlikely event of the BNP taking a seat in the Ribble Valley, I would be particularly disappointed."

One resident in the Shawbridge area of Clitheroe claimed to have received up to 10 leaflets targeting asylum seekers in under a week and called on the BNP to quit town.

Other residents, who did not wish to be named, also expressed concern that the BNP seemed to be recruiting supporters in the Ribble Valley.

Steven Smith, BNP organiser for Burnley, today confirmed the party was likely to field a candidate for the borough council's Waddington by-election and would also be fielding candidates for the borough elections next May.

"Interest in the BNP has been increasing steadily in Clitheroe for the last two years, because of the on-going planning application for a mosque in the town, which seems to have caused considerable anxiety. We have recruited about 100 supporters and are starting a branch in Clitheroe," he said.

Nominations for the Waddington by-election -- forced by the resignation of Tory councillor Harry Backhouse -- close on Friday, with the election in November.