RIGHT wing group the British National Party has announced its intention to fight for seats in next year’s Essex County Council elections.

The BNP put up a candidate for the first time in the Colchester Council elections in May.

Patrick Sullivan polled 131 votes in the High Woods ward – ahead of Labour candidate Jordan Newell, who got 97 votes. The seat was won by independent councillor Beverley Oxford.

The BNP has said it will continue to fight for a stake in Essex politics, with candidates being fielded in the county council and the European elections next year.

Press officer Simon Darby said: “We will be contesting seats in the eastern region with a view to winning seats in the county council and the European Parliament.

“We think we are in with a good chance to secure seats because of the growth of the party in the area.

“There will definitely be candidates in the county council elections although exactly how many, I do not know at this stage.”

The Conservatives have already revealed their candidates to fight the county council elections.

They include a number of familiar political figures, including Christopher Arnold, former deputy leader of Colchester Council, who will challenge for the Parson’s Heath and Eastgates division, former Colchester mayor Terry Sutton, who will fight for the Maypole seat, and former Colchester Council cabinet member Kevin Bentley, who is standing in the Stanway and Pyefleet division.

Essex County Council is currently controlled by the Conservatives with 50 of the 75 seats.

Sitting Conservative county councillors John Jowers (Mersea and Tiptree), Jeremy Lucas (Drury), Derek Robinson (Brightlingsea) and Sarah Candy (Tendring Rural West) will try to retain their seats.

The elections are due to take place in May but may be delayed until June to tie in with the European elections.

The Liberal Democrat and Labour parties are still to announce their candidates.