THE nomination of Kidderminster’s first British National Party candidate in the Worcestershire County Council elections has sparked anger among Wyre Forest party leaders.

Tony Gervis, of Abberley, will stand in the elections on Thursday, June 4 for the St George’s and St Oswald’s division.

Liberal councillor, Fran Oborski, said she was “deeply ashamed and appalled at the 10 local residents who have seen fit to sign the nomination paper for the BNP to put up a candidate in this community”.

Mrs Oborski, who has represented the St George’s and St Oswald's area at county level for the last eight years, added: “What do they do if they need hospital attention and the doctor or nurse who treats them is a migrant or from an ethnic minority?

“Do they refuse to be served in shops by our migrant workers? Do they only visit restaurants with UK staff? There are few, if any, locally.

“I am sad to represent 10 such individuals. This nomination will bring nothing but fear to a happy community.”

Simon Darby, BNP spokesman, said: “The other councillors can be appalled at our nomination but we are appalled by the constant process of replacing English people here.

“We don’t want immigration to turn Kidderminster into a place like Handsworth or Lozells in Birmingham. What about English people and their rights?” He added he thought the party stood a “good chance” of success in the county council elections.

Other Wyre Forest leaders have said the BNP has a right to take part in the elections under UK democratic laws.

Howard Martin, who is standing against Mr Gervis for Independent Community and Health Concern, said he did not “support or respect the BNP’s beliefs” but respected “their right to stand in the election”.

He added: “If he is elected over me I would be horrified and I would probably give up politics but I don’t think that will happen and I think common sense will prevail. The place to beat them is at the ballot box.”

Labour Wyre Forest district councillor, Mike Kelly, said: “It’s a dark day for politics in Wyre Forest when the BNP rear their heads.

“I’m not at all happy about it but, hopefully, the people will have their say and put them in their rightful place, which is the bottom of the polls.”

Conservative councillor, John Campion, said the BNP’s views were “a very long way” from his politics. He added: “Any kind of discrimination is not acceptable in this day and age and I think this will be shown at the ballots on June 4.

“They are able to stand under the freedom of democracy, though, and the public will vote.”

The BNP also has a chance of being represented in Europe, with six candidates up for the European elections, held the same day as the county votes.

Mr Darby, the BNP’s West Midlands European election candidate, explained he was “not surprised” the other parties had spoken out against the his party, adding: “That’s what they do because they are all the same.”