The BNP's success in Burnley sparked opposition

Members of the British National Party (BNP) will reportedly be refused places in Burnley council's executive cabinet.

The eight councillors of the far-right party - elected in the town in elections this month - were forming the main opposition in the town on Thursday.

The group is the BNP's largest ever represenation in any form of government in the UK.

At a meeting on Thursday evening the ruling Labour group was due to select people for the council's various committees.

The BNP is assured it will get a number of places under council protocol, despite being unlikely to get the cabinet places.

'Especial disillusionment'

The party now holds seats in wards like the former Lib-Dem stronghold of Briercliffe and the village of Hapton.

It won seven new seats on 1 May, including that of the deputy council leader, Labour's Andrew Tatchell, to take its tally to eight following earlier success in 2002.

While the party celebrated, Trevor Phillips, chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality, said its success should not be overstated, but questions must be asked.

"The people of Burnley are not any more racist than in any other community in Britain," Mr Phillips said, in response to the election results.

"In their town the particular conditions of especial disillusionment with the local council and the collapse of the Conservative vote gave the BNP a unique chance to creep in."