THE extremist British National Party is to stand for election in York for the first time, it has been revealed.

The party is fielding nine candidates in the City of York Council elections, to take place on May 3.

Local secretary Ian Dawson - who is standing in Acomb - said they were optimistic about their chances, but they were roundly condemned by the mainstream parties.

York MP Hugh Bayley labelled them "beneath contempt".

He said: "They are racist and divisive carpet-baggers who have no real interest in local communities in York.

"They will be rejected by all the mainstream parties and all fair-minded voters."

Aside from Acomb, the BNP is also standing in Clifton; Fishergate; Haxby and Wigginton; Heworth; Holgate; Hull Road; Skelton, Rawcliffe and Clifton Without; and Westfield.

Mr Dawson said: "We will not be rejected by the people of this city. We are going to be giving it our best shot everywhere.

"We have done fantastically well to put up nine candidates in the first time we have stood in York."

Liberal Democrat leader, and current council leader, Steve Galloway said: "The BNP will go the way that extreme right-wing candidates have gone in the past - they will find that there is very little support in the city for their very peculiar view of life."

He said the election would be a "straight fight" between his party and Labour, saying: "We are the only two parties that could take control of the council."

On his own party's candidates, he said: "We are contesting every seat, as we normally do. Wherever possible, we have selected local candidates that live in the ward."

Labour leader Dave Merrett said: "Local Labour has an excellent set of candidates here. We are raring to get in on May 3 to put right some of the wrongs the Lib Dems have imposed."

Conservative agent John Galvin said: "I think we have got an excellent team of candidates and we are going out to win, and take control of the council."

On the BNP, he said: "They are perfectly entitled to stand, but I would hope that their vote would be such that they will never stand again in York."

Nominations for the council election closed yesterday. In total, there are 177 candidates across the city.

The Liberal Democrats, Labour, Conservatives and Greens are contesting every one of the 22 wards, while former councillor Nick Blitz's Liberal Party is standing in Guildhall and Heworth Without. Elsewhere, the Monster Raving Loony Party is fielding a candidate in Coun Galloway's Westfield ward, while in Clifton, Les Marsh is standing on behalf of George Galloway's Respect Party.

The BNP are also fielding three candidates in the Selby District Council elections. Candidates have been put up in Selby North, Hambleton, and Sherburn-in-Elmet.