THE British National Party has scrapped plans to target Hyndburn in this year's local elections because they could not find enough candidates.

But they have pledged to be back next year, and say it is only a matter of time before they register their first success in the borough.

In November the far right party said it intended to win seats in the borough, singling out Huncoat as a target.

But the party has now admitted it is not strong enough to contest the elections in May.

Acting council leader Jean Battle said: "I think it's excellent they are not fielding any candidates this year. They have been active in a lot of areas in East Lancashire. It's a concern that they may field some next year but we will have to cross that bridge when we get to it. They might not be strong enough then."

Seats in 12 out of the borough's 16 wards are up for grabs, including Coun Brendan Shiel's Huncoat seat, but the BNP will not field candidates in any of them.

Simon Bennett, East Lancashire spokesman for the BNP, said: "There will be no candidates fielded in Hyndburn this time.

"We have looked at the strength of the branch and it's not adequately equipped to contest elections yet.

"We don't fight elections for fighting's sake. There were some volunteers and I think we will try next year, in conjunction with Blackburn. It makes more sense and gives the unit in the area more time to grow.

"The presence is there but it's not sufficient numbers or structure to actively compete in elections. Once upon a time we were happy to to contest elections anywhere but now we are concentrating our resources where we feel we have got a good presence.

"With Hyndburn it's a case of watch this space. It will naturally follow like other areas in East Lancashire have."

Coun Shiel said: "The word was that this was a big force ready to be unleashed, but common sense has prevailed.

"I'm happy to hear the news and we can get on with what we are really about, which is helping people."

Fellow Huncoat member Coun Dave Parkin said: "We would have taken them on. We are not frightened of anybody in Huncoat. We know the work we have done -- there has been a lot of investment in Huncoat and there's more to come. If they want to put somebody up let them. We will go on our record. We won't shy away from them, we will hit them head on."

Opposition leader Peter Britcliffe said: "I never thought they would from the beginning. I'm just concerned about what we do. It's important we put our programme forward and fight the election and it's up to other parties what they do. They have certainly huffed and puffed and there have been a lot of rumours. They should put up or shut up."

Last week the BNP announced it would be fielding another two candidates for the Ribble Valley elections, bringing its total to six -- it already has one councillor in Blackburn.