ANGRY residents in Clifton today told the British National Party "Stay off our streets" after the organisation leafleted people living close to the proposed new Arc Light centre.

Campaigners against the homeless centre said they were "horrified" after representatives of the political party descended on homes in the Shipton Street area over the weekend.

Arc Light protesters said leafleted homeowners told them that BNP members had promised they could help stop the former Shipton Street School being converted into a 34-bed one-stop-shop for homeless people.

But leading campaigners rejected the BNP's overtures - and told the party they did not need their assistance.

As York's political leaders led the condemnation of the BNP's tactics, the party said it was a legal, lawful and democratic organisation which had a right to canvass opinion. It said anyone who opposed the BNP - and its stance on antisocial behaviour in Clifton - was supporting those intent on committing crime.

Dave Nicholson of the joint committee of Clifton Residents' Associations said: "Six people were out leafleting and knocking on doors.

"To some they said 'We are aware of your problems in this area and what's going on in Shipton Street and we are the people who can help you'.

"It is typical of the BNP to exploit other people's unhappiness in an attempt to peddle unacceptable messages."

Ward councillor Ken King said: "My first reaction is one of disgust that they are jumping on this and they are not doing the people in Shipton Street any service. I want to disassociate myself from the BNP and everything it says."

The BNP leaflet that was delivered to homes focused on the suicide bomb attacks in London in July and alleged the Government was to blame for Islamic extremism.

Council leader Steve Galloway said: "They the BNP have nothing to add to the political scene in York and I have never seen a leaflet of their's which has any semblance of truth in it."

Dr Phill Edwards, of the BNP, said: "We are a legal, lawful political party. How dare they seek to tell us, our supporters, our members and our councillors that we cannot be there?

"We have a right to be there. They are extremist with their reaction by daring to suggest who can be a political party and who can't.

"Being a democratic party is the way we will help local people.

"We are able as an organisation to field candidates in their local elections, or town council elections - if they are desirable.

"We will stand candidates to represent their views. How much more democratic can you get?

"We can help (in Shipton Street) by putting their point of view if they don't want this centre and on the other issue of antisocial behaviour."

Updated: 09:50 Wednesday, September 07, 2005