TONY Blair launched a strong attack on the British National Party in Burnley and defended his decision not to visit the town during today's trip to East Lancashire.

Mr Blair said the election of BNP councillors on Thursday would bring nothing but increased intercommunal tension and economic damage to East Lancashire.

He said before arriving in East Lancashire: "The BNP are not the reason for coming to East Lancashire but of course I am very much opposed to the politics of the BNP which offer nothing to people really and the only impact of BNP councillors would be to drive house prices down and push business out because people don't want that type of tension and bad relations in local communities.

"It is important people vote because there are real issues.

"Quite apart from anything else, the budget has put very substantial extra money into health, into care for the elderly, into fighting crime and education and the Conservatives oppose that extra investment and therefore between the two main political parties, never mind the BNP, there's a big choice.

"I think it's extremely important that people turn out and vote and certainly do not vote for the BNP who offer no real solutions to any of the issues.''

He dismissed suggestions that he should have included Burnley -- the scene of racial disturbances last summer -- on his trip to the area.

Mr Blair said: "I think the same issues are important in Blackburn as well as Burnley.

"There are the same issues that arise in any town whether it's Blackburn or Burnley. I didn't decide against going to Burnley for fear of handing the BNP a propaganda victim. No, not at all.''

Mr Blair also defended the government record on law and order.

He added: "Overall, let's be clear, crime has fallen not risen.

"In Lancashire crime is down almost 18 per cent since we came into office.

"Now that's no consolation to people when they're worried about anti-social behaviour, street crime and so on.

"We're making a big, big push on street crime just now. I think you'll find that the changes that have been made, changes that will restrict the abuse of bail and provide more prison and secure accommodation will make a big difference.''

The Prime Minister also turned to problems and strikes on the railways defending embattled Transport Secretary Stephen Byers.

He also praised former Blackburn man Richard Bowker, who is now in charge of the Strategic Rail Authority.

He said: "I think what it requires is very big investment which we're now planning.

"With Richard Bowker now in charge of the Strategic Rail Authority we're dealing with the problem of fragmentation which is the other issue. I'm not saying it will all be hunky dory over night because it won't.

"But there are a very substantial sums of money going in plus a far better way of organising it.

"I think Richard Bowker is absolutely first class.

"I think Stephen Byers has taken the right decisions for the Transport industry. He took the right decision to sort out Railtrack. I think people would say that since the beginning of the year, things have improved actually with the new management in Railtrack.

"We know hope we can get the new structure for Railtrack, get it out of administration, put it on a sound footing for the long term and start dealing with some of the issues of co-ordination across the system which are extremely important.''