Despite the freezing weather, the Barking and Dagenham election campaign is really starting to hot up, British National Party elections officer Eddy Butler has announced.

“A range of eye-catching billboards are up around the borough with images of Nick Griffin (the prospective parliamentary candidate who will dislodge the unpopular Labour MP Margaret Hodge) and Richard Barnbrook, the prospective BNP leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, wishing passers-by a very Merry Christmas,” Mr Butler said.

“This is just the first round of an extensive billboard campaign across Barking and Dagenham and other target constituencies.

“Millions of the new range of national leaflets have been delivered across the country and other new promotional ideas will be rolled out as the election approaches,” Mr Butler continued.

“However, the real strength of the party rests with its foot soldiers  — the hard-working activists who are out in all weathers and all seasons providing our cutting edge,” he said.