John Walker is a Transport and General Workers' Union member

An MP says voters should think carefully in a forthcoming council by-election being fought by the British National Party - the first time the party has fielded a candidate in north Wales.

Civil servant John Walker, for the BNP, is one of four candidates fighting the Aston ward election planned for 18 December.

But Mark Tami MP, for Alyn and Deeside, said: "I hope residents remember that their votes should not be cast on a whim and that a very strong message can be sent out to them on the night of 18 December.

"A BNP victory would devastate house prices, draw scorn from the rest of the UK and turn away investment," added the MP.

But Mr Walker, a Transport and General Workers' Union member for 17 years, said the standing of BNP councillors in other areas have not had an effect on house prices.

Tami believes a BNP win would draw scorn to the area

He added: "As for turning away investment, with New Labour's globalisation thousands of jobs are going out of this country - it's a bit hypocritical to say it would turn investment away."

Mr Walker said he felt positive from the initial canvassing and had been talking on people's doorsteps.

Union's view

A T&G spokesman said they were aware of the situation regarding Mr Walker and it had been reported to union chiefs.

He said: "We cannot exclude him from membership because of his political views."

As long as Mr Walker does not use the T&G name. the union say they will not act.

'Not welcome'

The spokesman added: "We find the BNP's policies abhorrent and this man's political views are completely contrary to everything the T&G stands for."

At a meeting in Flintshire County Council Ann Jones AM said she deplored BNP's decision to put forward a candidate.

And the Wales TUC has said: "Our message to the BNP is that they are not welcome in Wales and that the trade union movement, as it always has done, will ensure that Wales remains free from organised race hatred."

The electorate of Aston ward is 2,700, said Flintshire County Council.

Four candidates are standing in the by-election which is being called after former member Pat Yale was disqualified from standing following a court case.

The other candidates are Joyce Angell, Labour, Edward Eyton, Conservatives, George Hardcastle, Independent.

The ward fields two members for Flintshire County Council and the other member, who stood as an Independent is David Edwards.

Patricia Yale, who also stood as an Independent, gained 590 votes.

The turn-out for the 1999 election was 39.4 per cent.