AROUND 250 people attended the second meeting of the far-right British National Party to be held in Blackburn.

Two police vans were parked outside the Manxman pub, in the Higher Croft area although the meeting passed without incident.

Police also filmed BNP supporters entering the pub.

Landlord Gerry Bell had previously received threats that the venue would be burnt down if the meeting went ahead but today said those that attended were "courteous and pleasant".

He said they even donated £73 for the residents' association's fund to build a local playground.

He said: "I don't believe in their views, however they did not cause any trouble whatsoever and the meeting was peaceful."

Mr Bell, who had not wanted to hold the meeting but believed he was bound by licensing agreements, said he would not be keen to hold further meetings.

He said he had received death threats prior to last night's meeting.

He said: "I don't want to go through that hassle again, it caused me great concern. I have to think of those that use my premises as well."

Several men stood at the door to the Vault room at the pub, where the meeting was staged.

The meeting was invitation only, and people entering had to show leaflets they had been given to get in.

There was a mixture of pensioners, young men and a group of women at the meeting. Most arrived by taxi.

The BNP's Burnley organiser Simon Bennett said earlier this week that he believed they had a lot of support in Blackburn because 'it has similar problems to Burnley.'

The party won three seats on Burnley Council in this month's local elections.

Police said the meeting passed without incident.

But they also said they would continue to monitor future meetings and police them "if necessary".