Mainstream politicians are urging voters to back any party other than the Far-Right after another British National Party candidate was fielded in Sussex.

The electorate was urged to make sure they use their vote by turning up at polling stations so the BNP cannot capitalise on a low turn-out.

A by-election in the Tangmere ward of Chichester District Council is the latest target of the Far-Right group in Sussex.

There are five candidates for the Tangmere by-election following the death of Councillor Joyce Meyer. They are Brenda Esther Atlee (Conservative), James McCulloch (UK Independence Party), Patrick Joseph O'Sullivan (Labour), Betty Rudkin (Liberal Democrat) and Andrew Emerson of the BNP.

The by-election will take place on Thursday, May 18, at Tangmere Community Centre, Malcolm Road, Tangmere, from 7am until 10pm.

Any person wishing to vote by post must submit an application to the returning officer by 5pm on Wednesday, May 3.

Chichester district councillor Stephen Quigley, a Liberal Democrat, said Tangmere residents had little to fear from the Far-Right because the ward was a Liberal Democrat stronghold.

He said: "We have a candidate who's a good local candidate with a lot of local connections. We're very confident Tangmere residents will support her."

Last week, The Argus reported how Bob Lanzer, leader of the Conservative Group on Crawley Borough Council, called for mainstream voters to quash an attempt by the BNP to move in to the town.

Mr Lanzer, who until recently was ward councillor for Pound Hill South and Worth, said: "It is important to defy them because we have a diverse, multicultural community and the policies of the BNP are scarcely consistent with that."

Three BNP members are planning to stand in Hastings borough and four in Crawley. Michael Foster, Labour MP for Hastings and Rye, said: "I am disgusted that this odious outfit should feel they have any support in Hastings."

Jeremy Birch, former leader of Hastings Borough Council who is standing as a Labour candidate in Central St Leonards, said: "Naturally the idea that an extreme right wing party should be plying for votes in our town is very distasteful and Labour will be urging all other parties to join it in ensuring the harmonious relations we have got in our town are maintained."

In Crawley the men representing the BNP are standing in the West Green, Furnace Green, Ifield and Southgate wards. Liberal Democrat Linda Seekings, standing for re-election in Northgate and Manor Royal, said: "We will go about our business and put our policies across and hope that the community will support the best party."