The BNP won just 30% of the vote

The Electoral Reform Society (ERS) warned the extremist party could in future win control of the council - despite only attracting minority support.

The society said it won six seats in 12 wards last year, despite attracting just a third of the votes.

"In Burnley there is a strong case for proportional representation," said the society's chief Ken Ritchie.

He added that it was not just the BNP that was benefitting from the current system.

He explained: "It happens all over the country to other parties too."

In a report to be published later on Tuesday, the ERS sought to identify reasons why people voted for the BNP.

It also looked at how people in Lancashire would vote differently if alternative electoral systems were in use.