The far-right British National Party has no chance of success in the upcoming Euro and local elections, North Wiltshire MP James Gray said this week.

The BNP met in Malmesbury on Saturday to select candidates and said support for the party was up.

But Mr Gray said the party had little backing locally or nationally.

He said: "I do not believe there is any support locally nor should there be. They are the lowest form of political pond life and we do not need them."

The BNP's policies of a clampdown on immigration, voluntary repatriation for ethnic minorities and a stop to foreign aid, prompted campaigners in Malmesbury to protest against a meeting of the party outside a local pub.

BNP spokesman Robert Baggs said Saturday's meeting, at an undisclosed location, was held to discuss strategy and manage the increasing number of new members being signed up.

"The Party has been encouraged by the enthusiasm shown by new members knowing that the British National Party are active in, and are establishing a presence within their community.

"Many new branches are planned in the area and these will be announced in the near future," he said.

Hundreds of thousands of leaflets will be produced in the next few months to promote the party

Chairman of the Wiltshire Party Mike Howseman said candidates were being selected to contest Malmesbury Town Council's by-election on June 10.

Candidates will also be put forward for by-elections in Swindon, Trowbridge, and Cheltenham and the Euro elections on the same day.

He said: "We came to Malmesbury because we like the place. The people of Malmesbury are very patriotic. There is a lot of support in the town and they are cheesed off with the arrogance of the Liberal Democrats.

"James Gray would not discuss the policies because he is scared we would just blow him out the water."

Mr Gray said he would not debate with racists.

Liberal Democrat and Malmesbury Mayor elect Patrick Goldstone said: "He Mike Howseman knows nothing and cares less.

"The local Liberal Democrats have taken a leading part in many aspects of town life. In particular we work for the good of the town and not try to make cheap political points."