FAR-right Burnley councillor Carol Hughes is in danger of being thrown off the council because of her poor attendance record.

Coun Hughes, who represents Gannow ward for the British National Party, has not attended any council meetings for six months and must go to next Wednesday's full council meeting to avoid losing her seat.

BNP bosses said they were aware that Coun Hughes had not been attending meetings. They said this was due to stress, but insisted she would be there next week.

Coun Hughes is on five council committees; the member structures and support working group, the Burnley and Padiham Community Housing working group, licensing, development control and the joint consultative committee.

She has missed more than 16 meetings over the last six months.

BNP leader in Burnley Coun Len Starr said: "Carol has been quite ill recently which has meant council affairs have been to the back of her mind.

"We are aware of the situation and Carol has assured me she will be at the meeting next week.

"The last thing we want is to lose Carol because she has been excellent for her ward."

Coun Starr, of Hapton with Park ward, said he had also spoken to Tom Forshaw, head of the chief executive's office at the council, to tell him Coun Hughes would be present at the full council meeting.

Coun Hughes, 45, of Wavell Street, Burnley, is a single mum-of-one.

She is one of six BNP members on Burnley Council.

The council rulebook Section 85 of the Local Government Act states that if a member fails to turn up for six consecutive months they will automatically cease to be a member of the authority, unless they have a reason approved by bosses.

Attendance is recorded in the minutes of each meeting, and a full record of attendance at meetings over the previous year is published in the annual Council Minute Book.