THE British National Party is fielding its first candidate in elections for Craven District Council.

Gary Beresford, from Buckden, is standing in the Skipton South ward, currently held by Robert Heseltine.

The right wing BNP has had success in neighbouring Keighley and Pendle but it is the first time they have tested the water in Craven.

Once again there is no Labour candidate in the whole of the district. The party has disappeared from the local scene and now only contests General Elections.

Coun Heseltine has more than 30 years fighting local elections, but taking on a BNP candidate will be a new experience.

"I am proud that we live in a free democratic system where everyone is entitled to stand, although the BNP's national view is not my own," he said. "I find them too extreme and polarised but I respect their right to stand."

He added that he expected a tough fight but hoped his local experience and knowledge of the community would be decisive.

"I hope I can understand the needs of the people of Skipton better than someone from the top of Wharfedale," he said.

Also opposing him is Robert Firth for the Conservatives, who have a candidate in every seat.

They are the biggest party on Craven District with 13 seats but are kept out of power by an alliance between the Independents (11 seats) and Liberal Democrats (six).