AN East Lancashire clergyman today spoke of his joy after winning his battle to make the Church of England stand against the far-right British National party.

The Rev Simon Bessant submitted a motion to the General Synod of the church calling for it to reject the BNP and its policies.

Mr Bessant, director of mission and evangelism within Blackburn Diocese, first took his motion to the Church of England's General Synod last year. After winning the support of many members of the Synod -- the church's parliament -- his private member's motion was eventually accepted this week, as reported in later editions of yesterday's Evening Telegraph.

Mr Bessant said the Church of England was now officially opposed to the BNP and would ask people not to support or vote for the party.

Speaking after the motion was accepted he added: "I am very pleased the motion was taken and I think the Church of England as a whole recognised it was important."

The motion was carried unanimously when it was debated at a meeting of the Synod in London.

Mr Bessant said he was moved to speak out against the BNP after saying any political movement that sought to divide communities was an affront to God.

In a speech to the Synod on Monday he said the success of the BNP in local elections within Lancashire was a growing concern for churches and many other people.

Mr Bessant also said he was concerned about the BNP's policy of voluntary repatriation, which he argued, ignored the benefits that migrants had brought to Britain and the feelings of people from mixed ethnic backgrounds.

His battle to have the policy adopted was also backed by the Venerable John Hawley, Archdeacon of Blackburn. He said: "I want to commend what Simon did because it was a very courageous thing to do.

"It was a very brave thing to do, particularly in today's politically correct climate."

BNP spokesman Dr Phil Edwards said: "All sorts of queer things have been accepted by the General Synod.

"We are only disappointed that the Church of England does not extend the teachings of the Gospel to members of the British National Party."