USE your vote. Do not let our city sleepwalk into a wall of hate.

That is the passionate plea today to the voters of York from our outspoken archbishop.

Not voting creates a political vacuum, Dr Sentamu says - one that will be exploited by "unrepresentative politicians and parties to get their way".

York's first black archbishop does not mention the BNP by name.

But he makes it pretty clear who he means.

"Jesus warned us to be wary of wolves who come in sheep's clothing," he says. "They come with honeycombed words, promising a New England, and a land of milk and honey. In reality they offer us a diet of bile and discord, a desert of hopelessness and policies which stoke the ashes of Clifford's Tower."

Strong stuff indeed. We agree with every impassioned word.

As we have said before, the BNP are a bunch of sorry bigots who hide their poison under a veneer of respectability.

It doesn't fool us, it doesn't fool the archbishop - and we pray it won't fool you.

If you won't take our word for it - or that of Dr Sentamu - then listen, please, to a true York hero.

York City captain Manny Panther has been at the heart of the club's drive to a play-off place this year.

"As a black footballer I feel very uncomfortable with the message the BNP are promoting," he said.

"I can only urge people not to vote for them."

We urge the same.

It is bad enough that the BNP are even standing in this city.

So please, please do use your vote - and cast it for anyone but this group of obnoxious opportunists.