VILLAGERS were surprised on Saturday to discover that leaflets posted through their doors advertising a village hall for hire were wrapped around British National Party (BNP) literature. Around 600 homes in Markyate, Flamstead and Gaddesden Row were targe

VILLAGERS were surprised on Saturday to discover that leaflets posted through their doors advertising a village hall for hire were wrapped around British National Party (BNP) literature.

Around 600 homes in Markyate, Flamstead and Gaddesden Row were targeted by the BNP's Herts County Council election hopeful Simon Deacon.

One villager, who did not wish to be named, said: "The BNP literature went along the lines that we've all had enough of immigration and the alternative is the BNP."

Mr Deacon, aged 43, who also sits on Markyate Parish Council, said: "I don't understand what the fuss is about. My BNP work has nothing to do with the parish council but I just offered to help promote the village hall by sending out leaflets with my campaign stuff free of charge."

Mr Deacon, of Cowper Road, Markyate, said it was his idea to make a big push to get more bookings as village hall hire had been so poor and he had spent hours folding the leaflets before they were delivered.

A parish council spokesperson said it was a completely impartial, non-political organisation.

She added: "When Mr Deacon offered to deliver the leaflets free of charge we saw no harm in it."

Mr Deacon, who runs his own landscape garden business, said he has been a parish councillor for two years and a member of the BNP for slightly longer.

But now he is actively campaigning to become a county councillor representing the BNP in the coming June elections.