The leader of the far right British National Party has been re-elected by a narrow majority.

Nick Griffin won nine more votes than his opponent, MEP Andrew Brons, in what the BNP called "a contest between two party heavyweights".

According to the BNP website, Mr Griffin called for a time for the party to heal. The BNP has seen months of discord, with resignations of senior members and the formation of a splinter far-right party called the British Freedom Party.

It also performed poorly at local elections in May, with defeats in previously secure seats in Stoke-on-Trent and Leicestershire.

Mr Griffin said: "The time for division and disruption is over. Now is the time to get back to work."