A BURNLEY British National Party councillor today faced calls to resign after being convicted of racially abusing a group of Asian men.

On Saturday, Coun Brian Turner, 43, declared that he would be carrying on as a councillor because he had been "found guilty of something I have not done".

But today the leaders of other parties in the borough told him it was time to go.

Coun Turner, representing the Cliviger with Worsthorne ward, was warned by Burnley magistrates he faces jail after being convicted of a racially aggravated public order offence on Friday.

The court heard that he shouted a racist comment at a group of Asian men outside the Orange House pub, Hammerton Street, Burnley, before telling them to get back "to their own country".

Moments earlier, Coun Turner, a self-employed painter and decorator of Athletic Street, and two friends had been asked to step back by police officers who were dealing with a number of fights in the area.

It was the second time Coun Turner, who was elected in May 2003, had been convicted of a criminal offence while a councillor.

Last September he was ordered to do 100 hours' community service after assaulting his wife and a policeman.

Today leaders from other political parties called for the BNP councillor to "do the honourable thing" and resign his seat.

Council leader, Liberal Democrat Gordon Birtwistle, said: "This is the second time he has been convicted of a criminal offence.

"He is not a fit and proper person to represent the people of his ward."

Tory party leader Peter Doyle said: "This is the second offence he has been found guilty of during his time as councillor and in that time he has attended just three out of 11 council meetings. He should do the decent thing and resign."

And Labour's deputy leader Julie Cooper added: "We have a responsibility to set an example and if any individual breaks the law by committing such an offence then I don't think they are suited for the role as a councillor.

"I think he should do the honourable thing and resign rather than waiting for the Standards Board to come in and ask him to do so."

But BNP group leader, Coun Sharon Wilkinson, claimed: "It was the words BNP that were on trial not Brian Turner."