A Penygroes councillor has spoken of her shock on learning that a candidate for the forthcoming county council elections will be standing under the British National Party banner.

Councillor Sian Thomas, who will be standing against Kevin Edwards, maintains that many of the residents who nominated the BNP candidate were unaware which party he was representing.

"Mr Edwards claims that the people from Penygroes who nominated him knew he was standing for BNP, but I know for a fact that some of them did not," said Cllr Thomas.

"I am amazed at the reaction," she said.

"People who would usually vote for other parties have said they would vote for me rather than have a BNP councillor.

"The people of Penygroes are determined to keep this person out."

Mr Edwards is one of two BNP representatives in the county, the other being Michael John Green of Tycroes.

Mr Edwards stated that he had received no negative responses from residents and that he had never concealed that he was a BNP member.

"I am quite gobsmacked, but it is what I would expect opponents of the BNP to say," he said.

"Everyone I asked for a signature knew I was standing for the BNP."

Meanwhile, another Penygroes councillor has pledged to oppose Mr Edwards.

Cllr Alun Lewis has called for Mr Edwards' election to Llandybie community council to be withdrawn claiming few residents were aware of Mr Richards views when he put himself forward for one of five vacant council seats.

"I will stand against him if I have to," Cllr Lewis said.

"Kevin Edwards has only just moved to the village, hardly any of the residents of Penygroes know him and they aren't happy about his election to Llandybie community council," he said.

"He has used the connections of Michael John Green to gain a nomination.

"I don't know if he did tell people that he was a BNP member, but I do know that some of the people who nominated him were unaware.

"We have had messages of support from other political parties backing Cllr Sian Thomas in the county council elections.

"A lot of people don't want him voted in."