The British National Party has failed to hold on to two of its seats after council by-elections in northern England.

In the Lanehead ward of Burnley, BNP candidate John Cave was beaten into third place by the Liberal Democrats, with Labour coming second.

The vote was prompted by the resignation of councillor Luke Smith, after he was suspended from the BNP for a brawl at the Red, White and Blue festival in August.

Lib Dem victor Martin Smith said he was "absolutely flabbergasted" with the result.

"I have fought this election for the people of Lanehead and the people of Burnley," he said.

"We are going to be, as Liberal Democrats, the party that people should vote for to keep the BNP out and have a protest vote against Labour.

"We want to improve the town for everybody that lives in Burnley."

In Halifax, BNP candidate Heath Clegg failed to take a seat previously held by Liberal Democrat Stephen Pearson, whose death prompted the ballot.

His widow, Jennifer, held the seat for the party. "I'm absolutely thrilled," she said.

"This is confirmation of what happened in May and I'm absolutely delighted. I think the BNP has reached their limits.

"We ran a very strong campaign and the Labour Party simply faded away. It shows we are the party to stop the BNP."