THE farmer at the centre of a storm over a controversial British National Party carnival today explained his decision to allow the event on his land.

John Barnes spoke as Anti-Nazi League demonstrators were banned by Lancashire Chief Constable Paul Stephenson from going anywhere near the rally in Sawley, near Clitheroe, at the weekend.

The farmer, of Dockber Laithe Farm, watched his lifetime's work wiped out overnight during last year's foot and mouth epidemic.

His 300-acre farm lost 2,000 sheep and lambs, and 200 cattle, and he said today the BNP booking would help his business stay afloat.

"Mine was the first farm in the Ribble Valley to contract foot and mouth and I lost absolutely everything.

"I was devastated and haven't worked on the farm since.

"Post-foot and mouth restrictions on animal movements have made it impossible for me to operate.

"I was approached by the BNP to hire the field and the small fee it is paying will go some way to helping the farm tick over.

"I don't have any political views and am not a member of the BNP. It's just another organisation to me.

"I contacted the authorities in Welshpool ,where the BNP held a rally two years ago, and was assured that it had been a peaceful event.

"Only then did I agree to hire out the field and I'm not really in a position to refuse, anyway."

Mr Barnes, whose only current income is from work for the meat hygiene service, said Sawley villagers had been generally supportive of his decision to host the rally on his land.

"I am surprised at all the furore. Villagers have been generally supportive and it's everyone else that seems to be going overboard."

The Anti-Nazi League aims to prevent the carnival from going ahead in a field off the A59 on Saturday and Sunday.

However, Mr Stephenson has decided to ban the demonstrators from going within five kilometres the site.

Police fear that, owing to the position of the carnival site next to the busy A59, the public and motorists might be put at risk and a number of events usually held in the area have been requested to move.

Chief Superintendent John Thompson, whose Eastern Division covers Sawley, said: "It's a busy road and there is a big steam festival taking place at the same time, so there will be a lot of people using the road.

"The order will safeguard public safety, as well as the safety of the demonstrators, and we believe it is a proportionate response to the potential for disorder and injury.

"The conditions do not prevent people protesting, but does stop them protesting in the Sawley area.

"The police and Ribble Valley Council will support an alternative venue and are discussing this with the Anti-Nazi League.

"Our policing will ensure that those who wish to attend the rally are able to do so and those wishing to demonstrate do so in a reasonable and lawful manner.

"We hope everyone will behave reasonably and not break the law."

The ANL was due to meet in the Ribble Valley today to consider an 11th hour appeal to the Home Secretary to get the exclusion order overturned.

"We will also be urging Lancashire police to withdraw its ban on our planned protest against the BNP event," a spokesman said.

A spokesman for the National Farmers' Union said: "Restrictions following foot and mouth that prevent farmers from moving animals for 20 days after purchase are crippling the livestock sector. We are lobbying the Government to have it reduced to six days."