THE Bishop of Worcester has urged voters to shun the far-right British National Party at this summer's local elections.

The Rt Rev Dr Peter Selby spoke out after BNP Worcestershire leader Martin Roberts said he and one other candidate would be standing in the Worcester City Council contest.

Bishop Peter has previously campaigned successfully to halt a National Front march through Worcester.

"Those of us who witnessed how the mosques and churches got together in the face of the National Front a few years ago, and how the Asian communities were intimidated by their actions, will be in no doubt that the BNP likewise is not welcome as a political party in the city," said Bishop Peter.

"I hope voters make that very clear, and that other parties distance themselves from BNP racial policies."

Mr Roberts, of Monarch Drive, off Hallow Road, Worcester, polled a quarter of the votes cast when he stood in the Holy Trinity ward last year and expects to attract more support this June.

"I'm most definitely looking to increase that vote. It was 25 per cent last time and I'm definitely looking to win it. I honestly expect to get a place on the council," said Mr Roberts, who is planning to stand in the new Gorse Hill and Warndon ward.

He said he had been campaigning on behalf of Warndon since last year's election and rejected Bishop Peter's criticism, saying he would stand for the people of Worcester "because they want change".

He added that he supports all of his party's policies, including offering non-Britain-born residents financial incentives to leave the country.

"We've got the problem of Europeans who have to get sent back because they are a complete drain on the housing and NHS," said Mr Roberts.

He said he also believed Muslims "preaching hatred" outside mosques should be deported.

The second candidate wants to remain anonymous but his details will be released in the next month, Mr Roberts added.

Open polls to prisoners - Selby

A 134-year-old law which deprives prisoners of the vote should be overturned, the Bishop of Worcester said today.

The Rt Rev Peter Selby said barring prisoners from voting did nothing to help their rehabilitation or protect the public.

He has joined ex-offenders' charity Unlock and the Prison Reform Trust to call for the law to be reversed.

In an open letter, the Bishop said barring prisoners "excludes still further those already on the margins of society".

"It also ensures prison reform stays low on the agenda," he added.

"Most of our European neighbours allow prisoners to vote - to pay their debt to society while remaining a part of it.

Reform

"They give prisoners a reason to reform and value their place in society, but our approach to condemn people to "civic death" does the opposite.

"There is no place in a modern criminal justice system for this unjust additional punishment."

The law that strips convicted inmates of voting rights dates back to 1870.

The Representation of the People Act 1983 contains the current legislation which bars sentenced prisoners from voting.

Other figures backing the campaign include Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Mark Oaten, Labour MP David Winnick, Tory MP Peter Bottomley and Chief Inspector of Prisons Anne Owers.