The Blackpool branch of the British National Party is one of the biggest in the North West, claims a key party member.

Roy Goodwin, the party's north west area organiser, said in terms of finance and membership the town's branch is "arguably" the fastest growing leg of the party in this area.

It comes as party members revealed plans to hold a two-day conference in Blackpool next month and 500-600 BNP members are expected to attend the event on November 25 and 26.

Although the location is being kept under wraps, Mr Goodwin said a suitable venue had already been booked. "We will be telling the police in due course," he added.

"Logistically it makes sense to hold the conference here considering where we have members.

"We know the other political parties in Blackpool will not be happy but we are a perfectly legitimate democratic party.

"We don't go around disrupting other party conferences or saying they can't hold their conference in Blackpool.

"We are the fourth biggest party in the country with a growing membership, so the other parties are going to have to get used to us."

News that the party's second annual conference is going to be held in Blackpool has angered the leader of the town's council, Roy Fisher.

"The BNP are not welcome in Blackpool," he said.

"I am not aware of any BNP members in the town or any branch and would urge the people of Blackpool to look very closely at their manifesto or policies before deciding if the BNP is a realistic alternative.

"There are clear differences between the mainstream parties and the BNP.

"A number of people know what the BNP stands for and are not supportive of their policies."

Derek Ellershaw, company secretary of the Blackpool Hotel and Guest House Association, said hoteliers should consider their businesses long term before deciding to hold the BNP conference at their venue.

He added: "We live in a democracy and all individual hoteliers make their own decisions.

"I would ask them just to consider the wider implications of any business decision they make.

"The BNP are not welcome in Blackpool and could preclude us from hosting any other major political party conference in the town."