THE British National Party is planning an all-out assault on Kirklees at this year's General Election.

Candidates will contest seats in Huddersfield, Colne Valley, Dewsbury and Batley and Spen.

Former Oxfam worker Barry Fowler, of Honley, will contest for the Colne Valley seat; Karl Hanson, 34, of Heckmondwike, will stand in Huddersfield; Clr David Exley, 40, is to fight for the Dewsbury seat and 54-year-old Colin Auty, from Dewsbury, stands in Batley and Spen.

Announcing the candidates yesterday Yorkshire BNP organiser Nick Cass, of Dewsbury, said: "People are fed up of all the other political parties and we offer a real alternative."

When quizzed about the far-right party's racist image, Mr Cass blamed the media and accused the far-left of being the real thugs.

"We held a Christmas party at the Black Bull pub in Batley and there were phone calls made threatening the landlord. I have had threats, in fact even my grandparents have had threats. "

He said that equal resources would be spent across the four seats but the party's main focus was Keighley where BNP leader Nick Griffin will stand against Labour MP Ann Cryer.

Former Oxfam worker Mr Fowler quit the Colne Valley Conservatives a year ago, claiming they were in disarray. He said the BNP want to preserve the Colne Valley way of life.

"There are lots of traditions and history in these parts and I am determined to preserve them," he said.

"I love my country and the Colne Valley and I don't want the area to be suffering from the type of problems Dewsbury and Batley face.

"The image the BNP have of skin heads with ear-rings and tattoos is unfair and I think by choosing me to run they have proved that."

Mr Hanson, 34, said support was growing in Huddersfield and he expected to surprise people.

However he did admit the chances of him actually winning the election were "very slim".

"Hopefully people will see we are a real, serious political party and we want to make a difference," he said.