THE British National Party's three Burnley councillors have attended their first official function, and heard the new mayor speak of his hope for a united town.

Couns David Edwards, Carol Hughes and Terry Grogan all took their places in the council chamber for the mayor-making ceremony yesterday, which passed off peacefully with a small police presence outside the town hall.

The far-right BNP's full role in the town's council will be revealed tonight at the full council meeting when the members will have their first chance to join in council discussions.

Council leader Stuart Caddy urged councillors to make sure they acted within the law in the council chamber.

But Coun Grogan said he and his colleagues just wanted to be left alone to get on with the job.

New mayor Coun Gordon Birtwistle, whose wife Kathleen will be mayoress, said: "I have immense pride in our town with its many achievements, the friendliness of its people, the willingness to work and support their families and most of all the desire to support their neighbours in times of trouble.

"Over the past 12 months some of this desire has diminished, but I am sure it will soon return and our people will unite and seek the common good.

"I can assure you that whilst I am mayor this will be my major aim and I look for the town's full support."

Coun Grogan, who represents Gannow ward, today said they were looking forward to both tonight's meeting and the rest of the council business through the year.

He added: "We simply want to be left to get on with the job we have been elected to do, and that for me is representing the people of Gannow ward.

"Speaking personally, I do have concerns about the immigration issue, but does that mean I should be branded a Nazi by the media?

"I am simply voicing concerns felt by many other people but because I am in Burnley I have to live with accusations of racism every day."

Coun Edwards is one of three councillors elected for the ward of Cliviger with Worsthorne, Coun Hughes one of the three for Rosegrove with Lowerhouse and Coun Grogan for Gannow.

Each councillor, including the three BNP councillors who won seats in the town's local elections earlier this month, will be sitting on 14 different committees.

The new mayor said he was to carry on the tradition of having a charity fund and this year had chosen to contribute to the purchase of an Ultra Sound Scanner for the Urology department of Burnley General Hospital.

The scanner will be used for the detection of testicular and prostate cancer, from which Coun Birtwistle's father died two years ago.

The mayor, a fitness fanatic, will be taking part in a sponsored triathlon in August around Horwich and Rivington to help raise some of the cash.

Coun Birtwistle is also a keen advocate of keeping open all the care homes in Burnley threatened by closure.

After the ceremony, attended by guests including the Bishop of Burnley, the new mayor held a private celebration in Burnley Mechanics.