THE British National Party is fielding candidates in all 75 wards in the Essex County Council elections.

The far-right wing party says it is the first time in its history it has been able to stand candidates in every division at a county council election.

Nominations for the Essex County Council closed yesterday at 4pm.

Voters will go to the polls for the county and European elections on June 4.

Emma Colgate, BNP Thurrock councillor and national agent for the party, said: “We are standing about 400 in the country, but 75 of those are in Essex.

“The support in Essex has come from nowhere with people ringing about being members, standing and making donations.

“The donations have given us money to be able to put so many people forward.”

The party is also fielding candidates in every region of the country for the European parliamentary elections.

Paul Kirkman, leader of the Essex Labour group, urged people not to vote for the party, but said he was not concerned they were making bigger inroads into the county.

He said: “I urge people not to vote for them and wish they would not stand locally, but we live in a democratic society, and people are entitled to stand, even if it is for a despicable party like the BNP, which is anti-democracy in general.”

Basildon District Council leader, Conservative Malcolm Buckley, said: “Growing support is a claim they make year-on-year, but it never really comes to fruition.

“There are 75 bigots who are prepared to stand for the BNP, but I think the people of Essex have got a lot more sense than to vote for them.”

Tom Smith-Hughes, Liberal Democrat leader for Essex County Council, said: “The BNP are playing on people’s fears and they have simplistic solutions which are dangerous and dishonest.

“I certainly hope they are soundly beaten.”