YORK-born politician Frank Dobson has spoken of the "dangers" posed by the Far Right, while giving a lecture in the city.

The former Health Secretary and Archbishop Holgate School pupil evoked the memories of two past leading Labour figures in York, as he delivered the Ken Cooper Memorial Lecture, and handed over a cheque for £200 on behalf of York Constituency Labour Party to the Rod Hills Memorial Fund, set up to commemorate the former city council leader.

Speaking at the Priory Street Centre last night, Mr Dobson attacked attempts by the British National Party (BNP) to "rear their ugly heads".

He said: "We are coming up to the 60th anniversary of D-Day, when a number of British people, and people from York, risked their lives to get rid of Far Right racism.

"They (the BNP) claim to represent British views, and nothing is further from the truth.

"All the decent things that decent people believe are contrary to their views."

Trustee of the Rod Hills Memorial Fund, Coun Viv Kind, accepted the cheque. She said about £5,000 had been raised so far for the fund, which would go to help York-born students studying at the city's university.

Updated: 09:17 Saturday, March 13, 2004