Enfield's anti-fascist groups and activists are relieved the British National Party has chosen not to field candidates in the local elections.

Rumours the far-right party were planning to stand in the north-east of the borough persisted up until the deadline for candidates passed last week.

Alana Bates, co-ordinator of Enfield Unite Against Fascism said: "It is great for Enfield that the fascist BNP has decided to go elsewhere. "However, there are other places that will be targeted by the party.

"We need to come together on a national and local level to stop the BNP getting elected."

Keith Shilson, President of Middlesex University Students' Union added: "This is very welcome news. Whenever the BNP do well in elections, violent racist attacks increase.

"It seems the Unite Against Fascism carnival we helped to organise in Ponders End two years ago has sent a clear message to the BNP, you are not welcome here'.

"However, we cannot afford to be complacent. There are parts of London where the BNP appear to be on the rise."

The BNP won a seat on Broxbourne Council to the north of the borough in 2003 when Ramon Johns won 48 per cent of the vote in the Rosedale ward.

The victory sparked fear among activists the BNP would target Enfield and neighbouring boroughs such as Haringey to build a platform in the area.

The campaign group Unite Against Fascism is set to hold a Love Music Hate Racism Carnival in Trafalgar Square on April 29 to highlight the dangers of the BNP winning seats on May 4.

Keith Flett, chairman of Haringey Trades Union Council, said: "Their strategy of winning council seats in the outer north-east fringes of London, in order to provide a platform for activity in areas like Haringey remains a serious threat.

"There really is no room for complacency about the threat of the BNP despite the welcome news that they are not standing locally this time around."