THE leader of the British National Party in Burnley today told how would-be arsonists attempted to set his business premises on fire.

The incident happened late Friday or early Saturday at his A1 Accountancy Services premises, St James' Street, Burnley, after it was attacked earlier this year by vandals.

Police are investigating after paper and cloth was pushed under the front door and set alight, although only minor damage was done because the fire did not catch hold.

Steven Smith, 42, said he believes somebody has a personal vendetta against him because of his political policies.

In August the words "Nazi scum" were sprayed across metal shutters that protect the windows of the premises, and two upstairs windows were shot at with an air rifle.

Steven, who has run his business in the town for ten years, is refusing to let the incident intimidate him or drive him out of town. He today insisted: "I am not going to be budged, I am here to stay and it's about time people started to realise that.

"If these people think they are intimidating me then they are sadly mistaken.

"It would perhaps worry me if I had a family to think about but I don't, so I am not bothered by it.

"I receive hate mail on a regular occurrence but that's something I have learnt to deal with but I shouldn't have to put up with this kind of thing.

"The people responsible for doing things like this are just making us more determined to succeed as a party."

A spokesman for Lancashire Constabulary's Pennine Division said: "Officers have been down and spoken to Mr Smith.

"Crime Scene Investigation Officers have been to the premises to gather forensic evidence and an investigation into the incident is currently under way."