Amid concern over their possible performance in next month's local elections, union leader Bill Morris has told the British National Party that ethnic minority communities are "here to stay".

In a speech to the TUC Black Workers' Conference, Morris was set to tell the far right party that they would not succeed.

"Last year we saw our communities in a number of Northern towns ripped apart by racial tension, fuelled by the vile message of the BNP," Morris was expected to say.

"As we move toward the local government elections, we must step forward with a clear message for the BNP.

"We are multi-racial. We are multi-cultural. You go away. We are here to stay"

Morris' message to the BNP comes amid Labour Party concern about the right wing party's possible performance, especially if voters stay at home in large numbers.

Launching Labour's local election campaign last week, home secretary David Blunkett warned the divisions on the left could boost the BNP.

"We should not be in the least bit complacent about those who are preaching hate, social dissension and racism. We should take that on at every juncture", he said.