BURNLEY'S MP Peter Pike said that a victory for the BNP in last night's by-elections would have been a "disaster" for the town -- but the party today refused to go away.

The British National Party were booted out of the elections, but did manage to secure over 20 per cent of the votes.

But although the far right party failed to win either the Lowerhouse or Trinity wards they said they will contest all 16 of Burnley's council wards in next May's elections.

Anti-Nazi League supporters gathered outside the Town Hall shouting "Nazi scum" as British National Party candidates and workers left the building.

Peter Pike MP said: "A BNP victory would have been one of the most damaging things to happen to Burnley since I came to the town in the 1940s, so we have to be glad that that has not happened. I think we fought good campaigns, we worked extremely hard and the main thing is that we have not let the BNP get a toe hold in local government in Burnley."

In this year's General Election the BNP secured 10 per cent of the vote, but Mr Pike was not alarmed by the increase in their share of the ballot.

"The fact is in local government elections you have a far lower number of people voting, so it's really 20 per cent of a lot less voters."

Trinity ward went to Labour, Elizabeth Monk took over 50 per cent of the 958 votes cast. Turnout at the ballot boxes in Trinity was over 28 percent, up 10 per cent on the last elections in May 2000.

She said: "I feel proud to be elected to serve the people of Trinity and I will do the job to the best of my ability.

"People turned out to vote for me. They put their faith in me and not the BNP. The majority speaks volumes, it says it all."

After hearing the result, Mrs Monk said she intends to concentrate fully on the needs of her constituents.

In Lowerhouse, Independent Sam Holgate managed to regain the seat that he gave up earlier in the year. Mr Holgate was not was at the count last night, he has only recently been released from hospital after undergoing a knee operation.

But after hearing the news of his victory he said: "I am delighted to be back in again. I didn't want to resign in the first place and the information I got was wrong, but this result justifies me standing again."

Joe Tierney almost secured a double win for Labour, but was 47 votes short of victory.

He said: "I am not gutted because we made a substantial reduction in the majority.

"I will be back next May and I intend to win it."

As the BNP votes were announced by the Chief Executive of Burnley Borough Council, Dr Gilian Taylor, shouts of "scum" were heard.

BNP candidates refused to comment after the results, but deputy organiser for Burnley and Pendle BNP, Simon Bennett said the result was "positive" and that the party's main aim was still the elections next May.

Tess McMahon the defeated Socialist Alliance candidate for Trinity said after the result: "We are really pleased with the result. The BNP didn't get any seats and we are beginning to make our mark."

Last night's election means that Labour now have control of Burnley Borough Council with 24 seats, with opposition groups have 23. There is, however, one more by-election to come in the seat left vacant after Independent councillor Harry Brooks' resignation -- Rosehill, next week.

Trinity became vacant after councillor Martine Winder resigned over work commitments and Sam Holgate was forced to resign earlier in the year, because of difficulties with his disability benefits.

The results for Lowerhouse were: Pauline Mary Farrell (Socialist Alliance) 32, Samuel Keith Holgate (Independent) 467, Carol Ann Hughes (British National Party) 283, Patrick Joseph Tierney (Labour) 421.

Majority 374. No change. Turnout 28.8%

The results for Trinity are: Tess McMahon (Socialist Alliance) 50, Elizabeth Mary Monk (Labour) 555, Mark Terrell (British National Party) 181, Arthur Wilkinson (Independent) 172.

Majority 46. No change. Turnout 27.8%.