Protesters cheered anti-racist speeches at a rally protesting against the narrow election win by the British National Party in Blackburn.

Speakers included Shahid Malik, a member of the Labour national executive who was hospitalised during last year's violent race riots in Burnley.

About 200 people gathered outside the old town hall in Blackburn on Saturday.

BNP candidate Robin Evans won the Mill Hill seat on Darwen Borough Council with a majority of just 16 over Labour.

Local people want to tell the BNP they are not welcome in Blackburn

Daniel Ratcliffe, protester

The win in Home Secretary Jack Straw's constituency brings to three the number of seats held by the BNP in the north west of England.

Protester Daniel Ratcliffe, a member of the Anti Nazi League, said: "People here aren't happy about the election result and the majority of them didn't vote for the BNP.

"Local people want to tell the BNP they are not welcome in Blackburn.

"Everyone out shopping in the town centre is coming over to see what we're up to and give their support.

"Six people who I've spoken to in the last half hour have joined the Anti Nazi League."

Other speakers include students from Salford University and anti-racist activists from Oldham, the scene of serious race violence last summer.

Among the BNP's policies are "resettlement" of non-whites to their lands of ethnic origin.

Successful candidate Mr Evans said: "This is an important victory for a long neglected majority in other wards in Blackburn who now have a voice in me."