THE British National Party is using the homes of North-East football thugs to peddle race-hate literature around the region.

An investigation by The Northern Echo has discovered that a base being used by the BNP is the home of a convicted hooligan, who has changed his name.

It is the second time in less than a year that the party's campaigners in Darlington have been unmasked as men with convictions for football violence.

Their latest activities have worried police at a time when asylum seekers, often fleeing from persecution abroad, are being found temporary homes in the region.

Racist leaflets being distributed around Darlington ask people to contact a PO Box which is being controlled from the home of Robert Bowman, in the town's Alston Moor Close.

The Northern Echo has discovered that Mr Bowman formerly used the name Robert Bruce Baines, by which he was known to police as a violent football thug. It is understood that Bowman, who has Union Jack and St George cross flags hanging in the windows of his Firth Moor home, has a history of convictions for violence which is football-related.

No one answered the door when The Northern Echo called at his home yesterday.

In October last year, an investigation by The Northern Echo found that Paul Thompson, who then lived in Banklands Road, Darlington, was spearheading a campaign for the BNP.

He was convicted in 1998 after some of the worst scenes of hooliganism witnessed in the region.

Mr Thompson was found guilty at Teesside Crown Court of attacking football fans in Darlington town centre and was jailed for six months.

At the time, the BNP said it was backing Mr Thompson, but no one could be contacted at the party headquarters yesterday to comment.

Detective Chief Inspector Dave Jones, of Darlington police, said: "We are always concerned when matters like this are brought to our attention.

"The BNP has been active in the past in this area so we are monitoring their activities.

"Anyone who receives material of this sort should contact us immediately."