THE British National Party is being frustrated in its attempts to find a base in East Lancashire, according to its leader.

Nick Griffin claimed the far-right party had been on the verge of sealing deals for 20 premises across the North West but landlords had pulled the plug at the last minute.

A local campaigner tasked with finding an East Lancashire headquarters insisted he was getting a “positive response”.

But according to a major property group, the BNP - which gained its first two European Parliament seats in June - was turned down when it requested some “prominent office space” in Blackburn.

A spokesman for the Adhan Group said a party representative had made contact two weeks ago and asked for a 2,000 square-foot office on a main road.

He added: “We declined to offer them anything.”

Andrew Peake, of Burnley-based Petty’s estate agents, said he was not aware of an approach from the BNP.

The party is understood to have looked at a former pub that was later bought by Lancashire County Council.

Writing in the latest BNP newsletter, Mr Griffin - an MEP for the North West - said: “My team tasked with opening a constituency office in the North West have been on the point of exchanging contracts or leases on more than 20 different premises, only to be knocked back at the last minute, with clearly shaken landlords telling them they can’t say why but have no choice but to reject our business”.

But Coun Derek Dawson, who sits on Burnley Council, said: “That’s not around here.

"People have been positive and have come to us.”

Coun Dawson has drawn up a list of five or six potential sites in Burnley and Padiham.

Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Michael Lee said: “I have not heard anything about them looking here, and I wouldn’t welcome it.

"We do not want them hanging around.”