A COALITION of trade unions, religious groups and political parties are joining forces to stop a far-right party winning a by-election.

Groups have put aside varying opinions to try to keep the British National Party (BNP) out of Chester-le-Street District Council.

The BNP's candidate, Scott Morrison, 36, is to run for election in a forthcoming postal by-election for the Chester north seat.

It became vacant following the death of Councillor Keith Lambert, who died while on holiday in Cyprus, in June.

Mr Morrison, who lives in the town, is a married former soldier who now works as an IT specialist.

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has called a meeting on Wednesday in Chester-le-Street, to launch a campaign against the BNP bid.

Kevin Rowan, secretary of the Northern region TUC said: "As an organisation that strongly promotes equality, it would be a travesty if the BNP were to be elected in the northern region."

A spokesman for the BNP, who did not wish to be named, said: "I would say we're not extremist, we're a more modern organisation and that is an old image that is trotted out again and again."

Postal voting papers have now been sent to houses, which must be returned by October 2.

The three other people standing for the seat are Conservative candidate Beatrice Bainbridge, Labour's Paul Ellis and Liberal Democrat George Gardner.

At the full election for Chester-le-Street District Council in May, there were no extreme right candidates, although the BNP fielded 54 candidates in the North-East and many of the council's seats were uncontested.

The TUC meeting will take place at 6.30pm in St Mary and St Cuthbert's Parish Centre, in Church Chare.