A FAMILY mourning the death of a deputy mayor have slammed a far right party for announcing it would stand for his seat.

The by-election for the East Rural ward on Blackburn with Darwen Council, which is yet to be called, looks set to be held in September.

The seat was vacated by the sudden death of Coun Fred Slater last week.

Coun Slater's family reacted angrily to the suggestion that the BNP were going to field a candidate and the England First Party (EFP) were considering standing.

The leader of the Tories in the borough, Coun Colin Rigby, said the BNP and EFP were locked in a feud where if one stood so would the other, and Coun Slater would have been outraged if he had known his death could have led to the far right trying to secure another seat.

Coun John Slater, Fernhurst ward councillor, alongside his widowed mum Jacqueline, said he could barely believe the actions of the BNP and EFP. He said: "I am disgusted and appalled at the BNP and the England First Party for even thinking about this so soon after my dad's death.

"We only buried him on Saturday and they are already talking about taking his seat. The flowers on his grave are still in bloom.

"I know the people of East Rural would be equally appalled at the disrespect shown."

The bereaved pair have cancelled their Sunday surgery this week, due to take place at Lower Darwen Community Centre, because they were too upset to attend.

The BNP was to field Nick Holt, former leader of the party in the borough. But he resigned the leadership on Saturday and another candidate will be put up.

A spokesman for the BNP said the party had not yet decided who would now stand.

"I would not put it as strongly as a feud, it's more of a kind of rivalry between parties that have similar policies but differences in the detail," he added.

Mark Cotterill, leader of the EFP, a former BNP man, said that party had a local candidate available but was still weighing up whether to stand.

The EFP took their first two seats in May's local elections.

Their arrival on the council caused a storm and their policies were labelled racist.

Labour, Liberal Democrats, and the Conservatives are to hold meetings in the coming days to decide what to do about the by election.

Coun Slater died on Friday, July 28 after collapsing in the Craven Heifer Inn, Darwen.

He lived with his wife, Jacqueline, in Minster Crescent, Darwen.

He was re-elected to the East Rural ward with a majority of 652.

As well as his wife and sons John and Neil, he leaves five grandchildren.