BNP attacked over 'fun day'

The BNP says the event will be "family-based"

Plans by the British National Party (BNP) to stage a "family fun day" near a town hit by riots last year have been condemned as an attempt to increase racial tension.

The far-right party said its "Red, White and Blue" event in the village of Diggle, near Oldham, Greater Manchester, next month would be its biggest ever.

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Phil Woolas said the event's family tag was a sham.

He said: "[The BNP] say this is an innocent event - it is no such thing."

This is a bunch of thugs trying to play their nasty brand of politics

Phil Woolas, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth

Last year's event, which was covered by a Panorama documentary, had exposed the event as "an orgy of hatred," he said.

He added: "That is not something the people of Saddleworth want in their back yard."

The BNP said the two-day event, beginning on 17 August, would be family-based and feature attractions such as bouncy castles, circus acts and a firework display.

But political activists will put one afternoon aside for speeches.

Mr Woolas added: "I think this is a deliberate act to try and provoke people and thankfully the people in my constituency are seeing right through it.

The riots in Oldham lasted for three days in 2001

"They don't want it here, it is not a suitable venue at all. This is a bunch of thugs trying to play their nasty brand of politics."

Worried residents of Diggle have launched a petition in protest about the event.

Oldham Council has also considered banning the event, but said it had no powers to do so as it was taking place on private land.

Chief Superintendent David Baines, of Greater Manchester Police, said the force was working closely with the council to monitor the event and would use all available powers to police it.

Council seats

The row follows a year in which race relations have come under the spotlight in Oldham, along with Burnley and Bradford, which were also hit by riots last summer.

The Oldham disturbances in May 2001 saw three days of running battles between Asian and white youths.

Since then, the BNP has unsuccessfully fought parliamentary and council seats in the town, although it did claim three council seats in nearby Burnley.

A BNP spokesman could not comment on the row over the event.