Police toady revealed they were investigating an allegation of election irregularity following claims that two signatures on nomination forms for a British National Party candidate were not genuine.

Officers launched the probe after a complaint was lodged with them.

It is believed to centre around claims that nominees on a BNP candidate's form had no idea they were involved.

A police spokesman said today: "We are looking into a complaint of election irregularity."

But the candidate about whom the complaint has been made, James Breslin, standing in the Great Horton ward, strongly denied the allegations.

BNP national chairman Nick Griffin claimed they were now considering legal action and described it as a "smear campaign."

Mr Breslin, 32, claimed he had obtained all the signatures personally and they were genuine.

He added he had not been contacted by the Council's elections unit but the police had spoken to him by telephone.

"I am really mad and I have put a lot of effort into this."

Mr Griffin said he had contacted the police after hearing of the allegations but the officer dealing with the case was off duty until Monday.

"James 'phoned me about this but I have not been contacted by anybody else. We will look very carefully at legal action."

No comment was available from the Council or Returning Officer Ian Stewart.

Mr Breslin, 32, is married with two children and works in the security industry.