THE BNP has fired the opening shot in the battle for the leadership of Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

With less than three weeks to go until the deadline for nominations, the city's BNP group leader, Councillor Alby Walker, has become the first candidate to submit his nomination papers.

Mr Walker, who has built his far-right group to become the equal third largest of the seven parties that make up the council chamber, has the backing of his eight fellow members.

But it is not clear whether his campaign will be able to attract enough support from other groups to raise him into power.

Mr Walker said: "The BNP is the first group to submit nomination papers, and I am pleased to announce that I will be standing in the leadership election."

And Mr Walker also revealed that control of the city is not the only electoral prize that he has set his sights on.

He said: "I am also the BNP's second candidate for the West Midlands in the European Parliamentary elections and I am supporting the eight candidates we are putting forward for the county council elections.

He added: "I am planning to publish a brief manifesto for my leadership campaign in the next few weeks, as I expect I will be too busy to attend the hustings event at the council on June 2."

To win the contest, a candidate must secure at least 31 of the available 61 votes coming from the councillors and Elected Mayor Mark Meredith.

That would leave Mr Walker having to win the support of 22 other members, a target which Liberal Democrat leader and Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Jean Bowers thinks is beyond the BNP's reach.

She said: "I'm not surprised to hear that Alby has got his nomination in first.

"I don't think he will get the support he needs to win, but he is entitled to enter the race like anyone else.

"I think it is going to be a battle royal and we will just have to see who wins."

The fragmented state of the council chamber, with seven groups sharing 59 seats, and one non-aligned member, makes it impossible for any party to cruise to victory under its own steam.

Labour has the most seats, with 16, but have yet to decide whether to mount a challenge at all.

Group leader Councillor Joy Garner said she expects to hear from the party's National Executive Committee this week whether her group will join the leadership fray.

In contrast to Labour, the City Independents group, with 15 members, can already boast three contenders for the leadership nomination.

The group will meet next week to decide whether current group leader Councillor Ann James, deputy leader Councillor Brian Ward or Councillor Alan Rigby get the nod.

Newly-appointed Conservative and Independent Alliance leader Councillor Ross Irving is expected to reveal soon whether he will stand for leader.

Potteries Alliance leader Councillor Peter Kent-Baguley is already planning to contest the election.

But the new Lib-Dem leader-elect, Councillor Kieran Clarke has not yet announced whether he will be submitting any nomination forms.

The window for leadership nominations closes on May 26.