BRITISH National Party candidate Andrew Spence said the tyres of his pick-up truck had been slashed.

Mr Spence said the vehicle was attacked outside his family home, between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

The Consett farmer said the cost of replacing the tyres and having the vehicle off the road for the day would run into several hundred pounds.

"We are out to run a professional and political campaign, our supporters aren't Nazis or skinheads, they are family men, and we are the fastest-growing political party in the UK," he said.

Mr Spence went on to say that his party did not deserve the reputation he said it has been given by the media.

Mr Spence said he replaced the tyres the next day and contacted the police. When The Northern Echo contacted the police yesterday, they said that they had received no reports about the allegation.