BRITISH National Party leader Nick Griffin was served with an £8,000 legal claim during a visit to Grays.

Bailiffs handed Mr Griffin the claim before he launched the far right party’s local and European election campaigns at the Thameside Theatre.

The legal action relates to claims the British National Party continued unauthorised use of a picture of a UKIP member on the party's website.

Emma Colgate, who represents the British National Party on Thurrock Council, said: “This is something we are looking into.

“It has been blown out of proportion.

“The picture was removed as soon as we were asked to remove it.”

The BNP is hoping to win its first ever seat in the European parliament when voters go to the polls on June 4.

A recent YouGov poll showed the party is on around four per cent support. Anti-fascist group Searchlight said: “Its support appears to be fading.”