THE far-right British National Party is to stand four candidates at the forthcoming Bolton Council elections.

The BNP, which won two seats at last year’s European elections, will contest seats in Smithills, Horwich North East, Tonge with The Haulgh and Westhoughton South on May 6.

As well as the three main parties — Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats — the Green Party, including Parliamentary candidates Alan Johnson and Rachel Mann, will contest 12 of the 20 seats up for grabs.

Former Labour councillors Laurie Williamson and Sean Hornby, who have both been suspended by the party in recent times, will stand as independents, as will Neville Mercer, who has been backed by a group calling itself The People’s Rebellion.

Richard Silvester will stand as a Labour Co-operative candidate.

Labour leader Cllr Cliff Morris said: “I am very pleased with the candidates we have and the mix of new blood in the party and the more experienced people.”

Cllr John Walsh, leader of the Conservative group, said: “I am delighted with the team we have, it will be a very hard fought campaign in all 20 seats, but I am convinced we will do very well.”

Lib Dem leader Cllr Roger Hayes said: “I think we will do very well. There are several seats that we will do well in and one or two tough defences and you never know how things are going to go, especially with it being the General Election as well.”

Overall, Labour holds 28 of Bolton Council’s 60 seats. The Conservatives have 23 and the Lib Dems have nine.

To gain an overall majority, a party needs 31 seats, but traditionally the largest group has taken control of the council and forms the decisionmaking executive.

To see the Bolton Council candidate line up, click here.