December 1, 2000 14:50: The right-wing British National Party (BNP) has been accused of duping unwary and elderly people into nominating its candidate in a Three Rivers District Council by-election.

It has been claimed that signatures collected to nominate BNP candidate Mr Ian Edwards in the Hayling Ward by-election were not from genuine supporters, but from unsuspecting residents who did not know what they were signing.

Suspicions were raised when the name of an elderly paid-up member of the Labour party appeared on the BNP candidate's nomination paper one of ten signatures nominating the candidate to stand at the election, which takes place on Thursday, December 7.

Election agent for Labour Mrs Joan King said: "There is no way she would have signed if she had known what it was. It just goes to show that they the BNP cannot get anyone unless they trick them."

The 80-year-old, who did not wish to be named, said she had been confused and despite her correct signature being on the nomination form she does not remember signing.

She said: "I did not know who they were when they came to the door. I thought they said they were going to sort out the grass verges."

Under election rules, a prospective candidate must have a proposer, a seconder and eight nominators from the ward in order to be eligible to stand for election.

Of the eight nominators collected by Mr Edward, six are in their 80s or 90s. Few could remember signing the nomination form, and those who could say they were confused about what it was.

Mr Bill Thelan, 81, and his wife Peggy, 77, of Hayling Road, both signed the form but said that they did not realise what policies the BNP had. Mr Thelan said: "We thought they were Liberals, the way they were talking.

"We signed a form to say that we support the BNP, to say that we would vote for them, but I just wanted to get rid of them. We will not vote for the BNP."

BNP candidate Mr Ian Edward denied his party had targeted the infirm, and denied there were discrepancies on the nomination form.

He said: "All the signatures are from the people they are supposed to be from. We are professionals and we are aware of election rules. There are a lot of confused people out there, but they were under no pressure to sign."

A spokesman for the council said: "The election will be going ahead. We have not received any official complaint from anyone."

Mr Edward will be standing in the by-election against Mr Graham Denman (Conservative), Mr David Saxon (Labour) and Mr Raymond Tully (Liberal Democrat).

Alex Hill