THE Bishop of Durham is among leading figures who are urging voters to boycott the far-right British National Party in the May council elections.

A strongly-worded statement by the Right Reverend Michael Turnbull reflects his real concern that the BNP may win seats in the North-East, particularly Sunderland.

The statement has also been backed by film producer Lord David Puttnam, athlete Steve Cram, Sunderland Football Club chairman Bob Murray, businessman John Anderson, former Vaux Breweries boss Frank Nicholson and his sister-in-law, Lady Sarah Nicholson.

The BNP has launched its biggest ever campaign to secure seats in the North-East this year, and is fielding 54 candidates in the May elections.

Twenty-five are standing in Sunderland, seven in Darlington, two in Wear Valley, three in Stockton, 11 in Gateshead and Newcastle, one in South Tyneside, one in Easington, two in Derwentside and two in Sedgefield.

In the statement, the high-profile names say that the economy of Sunderland is to a large extent dependent upon foreign investment and the university attracts a number of students from abroad.

They say: "We believe that the politics of hate has no place in Sunderland and that it is not in the interests of Sunderland or its people for representatives of any fascist fringe to be elected to the city council.

"We therefore call on people of all political persuasions to exercise their vote in the forthcoming elections to ensure that the BNP is decisively rejected."

Lord Puttnam, chancellor of Sunderland University, said last night: "HG Wells once memorably described civilisation as a race between education and catastrophe.

"I feel that racism and intolerance, given half a chance, would lead the world away from education and into just such a catastrophe."

Dr Phil Edwards, press officer for the BNP, said: "We are not fascists. We believe in free enterprise and they are not allowing freedom of speech. They are forcing their biased and bigoted opinions on to the electorate of Sunderland."