Voters in South Oxhey have been urged to vote against the BNP next month when they are invited back to the ballot box to choose a new district councillor.

The decision by incumbent Hayling ward representative Kerron Cross to resign his seat at Three Rivers District Council means a by-election must now be held on Thursday, September 24.

Councillor Cross, who has represented the seat since June 2002, explained to the Watford Observer that he had been forced, with a heavy heart, to abandon the seat after accepting a new job.

He did, however, urge his former constituents to vote against the British National Party – the party which he defeated by just 14 votes when he retained the seat in June last year.

He said: “I am very sad to be stepping down as I have really enjoyed serving the people of South Oxhey. It is always been a great community with a very strong civic pride and spirit. People feel a great sense of togetherness and I hope this continues.

“There will be a big battle between Labour and the BNP so it is very important people come out and have their say. I hope that nobody wants a racist party on office. I would urge as many people as possible to come out and make sure this does not happen.”

Neighbouring Ashridge councillor Seamus Dunne, the BNP’s first representative at the council, said the party would contest the seat “without reservation,” adding that it had many possible candidates.

Councillor Dunne, however, has long denied that he represents a racist party.