A COALITION aiming to keep the British National Party out of Swindon has begun its campaign in earnest.

Swindon Against Fascism (SAF), which is opposing the BNP's candidate Reg Bates, took its campaign to the streets of Gorse Hill and Pinehurst on Saturday with a mass leaflet drop.

Mr Bates, pictured right, is the first BNP member to stand for Swindon Council and the only candidate for the controversial right-wing party in the South West.

Supporters of the coalition split into small groups and hit the streets delivering their anti-BNP message through a series of leaflets attacking the BNP's policies as part of the first of two days of action.

Teacher Peter Smith, 49 from Walcot was one of those handing out leaflets.

He said: "This is a party which uses the methods of democracy to destroy democracy.

"If the BNP made it into power in any form there would be an increase in violence and other crime and we cannot allow this to happen.

"Unfortunately these days when things do become rough for people, it becomes very easy for people to start blaming immigrants and immigration, but I hope people will look at the leaflets and take in the message."

Bob Cretchley, secretary of the Swindon Unison branch said: "A member of the BNP on the council would make things difficult for members of UNISON I represent.

"I know the idea that they would have to work for a BNP councillor is something they probably wouldn't like."

Hugh Kirkbride, who is leading SAF, said: "The people of Gorse Hill are intelligent enough to make their own judgement. We just want to ensure that people are not duped by the smokescreen put up by the BNP to cover their true aims."

Mark Bullock, of the Swindon branch of the BNP, also took to the streets of Gorse Hill and described the SAF's claims as water off a duck's back.

"I am disgusted, these people are interfering in the democratic process, and their claims that people don't want us in Swindon are totally false.

"The people I have spoken to today have told me they are giving the party their full backing and that we should be more patriotic."

Mr Bullock promised that he would be canvassing again next week during the SAF's second day of action on April 29.