A national trade union will come to Barnet this weekend to try to stop people voting for the British National Party (BNP) in London's elections .

The Hope Not Hate bus will roll into East Finchley today, where volunteers will deliver thousands of anti-BNP leaflets to residents and businesses.

The visit is part of a campaign by Britain's General Union (GMB) to keep the BNP out of London politics, ahead of polling on May 1. Over the past month, the bus has visited almost every borough and on April 29 it will take part in "U Day", distributing leaflets outside every Tube and train station in London.

GMB national officer Mick Rix said: "We are entering a crucial phase in the campaign to keep out the BNP in London elections.

"As well as large scale music events to inspire the campaign, there is activity on the ground all over London where GMB members are joining in to persuade their fellow citizens not to vote for the BNP.

"We need every person we can get to join in these campaign activities."

Volunteers will attend the Love Music Hate Racism carnival in Victoria Park, east London, on April 27, and conclude its campaign at the 30th anniversary of the Rock Against Racism show, at Brixton Academy, on April 30.

BNP spokesman Simon Darby said the protest "undermined democracy".

He said: "We intend to put our policies forward and let the British people decide. They can either vote for us if they agree with us or not vote for us if they don't."