Protestors are preparing to head for Blackpool to campaign against the British National Party's decision to hold their party conference in the resort.

Campaigners from the Unite Against Fascism (UAF) group are organising a protest against the BNP's planned two-day conference due to take place at the end of this month.

Members of the action group, whose supporters include London mayor Ken Livingstone, is urging local people to join the protest.

Among those expected to get involved are trade unionists including members of the Blackpool Fylde and Wyre Trades Union Council (BFWTUC).

The organisation's senior vice-chairman, Andrew Wheatley, is likely to join the protest and suspects many fellow members will join him.

He said: "I support the UAF's demonstration and will probably join it myself.

"I think a number of our members will do the same."

"The BNP are actively hostile to trade unionists.

"Our struggles have always involved the workers against management, not workers against workers.

" I hope people will look at what the BNP are really saying before giving them support."

The UAF is a national campaign aimed at alerting British people to what they claim is a rising threat of the extreme right, in particular the BNP, gaining an electoral foothold in this country.

The group's supporters include the Anti Nazi League, the National Assembly Against Racism, Love Music Hate Racism group, Show Racism the Red Card, the National Union of Mineworkers and the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education.

"It is not yet known where in the town the planned demonstration will take place and whether the group has informed the police.

BNP organisers claim 600 delegates will descend on the resort for the weekend conference, on November 25 and 26.

The party will not disclose where it will be taking place and it is understood the police have yet to be informed of the event.

Roy Goodwin, north west regional area organiser for the BNP, said: "We have organised the conference and are planning a peaceful event.

"We just want the UAF and other people to leave us alone to get on with it.

"We are willing to inform the police about the venue before it goes ahead. An initial contact has been made."

Superintendent Steve Watson from Blackpool police said they were aware of the BNP's plans to hold a conference in the resort, adding: "We are planning a proportionate and appropriate policing response."