BNP activists claimed they were attacked by members of an antifascist group while promoting their party in the town centre.

But Barnsley Unite Against Fascism secretary George Arthur denied this, saying it was a member of the public who was provoked into kicking the BNP stand after a BNP activist made a racist comment.

The right-wing group was selling newspapers from a stall on Cheapside — as it does every Saturday — when the scuffle happened.

Paul Harris, Barnsley BNP's organiser, said the incident was sparked by members of the Unite Against Fascism group who were holding a day of action in town.

Mr Harris, of Newtown Avenue, Royston, said: “We saw the true nature of the groups which oppose the BNP when our sales stand was violently attacked and totally destroyed.”

He says the attack was unprovoked and caused the group's table to strike last year's election candidate Lisa Brooksbank. Antifascist protesters were shouting, ‘fascists, racists and scum’ at the BNP members, he claims.