SCHOOLS were put on alert today after claims that the BNP was targeting pupils.

The reaction followed claims on the BNP's website that the party is supported by youngsters in schools across the country, including two in Burnley - Coal Clough, now part of Cherry Fold and Walshaw County High - and at Clitheroe Royal Grammar School.

The party has called on its supporters to lobby youngsters outside school gates in a bid to get them involved in a poster campaign aimed at "anti-white racism" in schools.

The party's campaign involves handing out leaflets advertising a competition for different age-groups from as young as five to design posters on the theme "Racism cuts both ways".

Assistant head at Cherry Fold, a merger of south west Burnley schools including Coal Clough, Anthony Greenhalgh, said he was not aware of any support for the BNP within the school but that it was something that would not be tolerated.

He said: "This is not something I am aware of, but open support for the BNP would certainly not be acceptable in the school."

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said: "We have not sent any specific instructions to schools but we will be keeping a close eye on the situation and if problems of any kind are reported to us then we will investigate these and see what can be done."