THURSDAY'S story revealing plans by the British National Party to hold next year's annual conference in Bournemouth sparked a heated debate on this website.

Civic leaders voiced concern at the prospect of the BNP coming to town and Cllr David Clutterbuck warned that trouble could flare if the council-owned BIC hosted the party's 2008 convention.

John Winston Beatson from Sheffield asked: "Why are so many politicians afraid of the BNP? Is it that their own little corrupt world is being exposed and destroyed?"

Clive from Boscombe said: "They should not be allowed to come."

Gary from Westbourne said: "Typical of our councillors, trying to prevent another group having debates on an interesting subject."

Dave Turner from BNP Bournemouth said: "Why not have the BNP in Bournemouth? Their views are shared by a wide swathe of the population."

John from Poole said: "Total hypocrisy. Tories and Lib Dems take your money but won't allow you the use of publicly owned facilities for which we have paid for."

G Marriott from Poole said: "I surrendered my life in Australia to come to Great Britain. I'm not racist - I just love Great Britain more than any other part of the world and her people of whom I am now proud to be one. That is why I am a member and supporter of the BNP."

Dale Chester from Dorset said: "I have been to a BNP meeting for the first time and never saw one skinhead or thug."