PENDLE'S first ever British National Party councillor missed the first council meeting after his election win.

Coun Brian Parker, speaking for the first time about his victory, today said he did not know about the meeting and missed it because he was on holiday.

However, leading councillors today slammed Coun Parker, saying he had let the people of his Marsden ward down.

Coun Parker was elected for the ward at last Thursday's local elections.

However, on Monday he failed to show at the first meeting of the Nelson committee.

Nelson's winning councillors received information about the meeting on Friday with a declaration form they had to sign to officially take their seat.

But, believing the letter only contained a form which did not have to be signed for two months, Coun Parker said he went on holiday to Scarborough to unwind after the election.

Coun Parker, who promised to tackle litter and stop green land being built on during his campaign, added: "I could not possibly attend because I was on a break in North Yorkshire.

"If I had known about the meeting I would have called off my stay there and come back earlier.

"I take my duties as a councillor very seriously and a big effort will be made to attend meetings providing I know about them."

But Coun Tony Greaves, speaking for the Liberal Democrats, said the group would monitor his attendance at meetings.

He added: "We were all astonished that after all his bluster and his victory dance at the count, he did not take advantage of the first chance he had to take up his new position.

"There were at least five items on the agenda relating to his ward, which were his chance to put forward his views.

"It may be that Marsden ward residents feel he has let them down by failing to do so."

Acting leader of the Labour group and Nelson committee member, Coun Mohammed Iqbal, added: "Clearly at the very first opportunity the people of Marsden ward have been let down by the councillor.

"I hope this is not a sign of things to come."