Plans by a far-right group to field candidates in four Oxfordshire constituencies in the next general election have been condemned by pro-asylum and anti-Nazi groups.

The National Front claims four of its members will stand as potential MPs in the county, including regional organiser James Starkey, who will fight MP Tony Baldry for his Banbury seat.

The NF has targeted Oxfordshire because of the Government's controversial plans to build a 750-person asylum seeker centre near Bicester.

But the move has been criticised by Bicester Refugee Support and the Anti-Nazi League as a publicity stunt.

Bicester Refugee Support spokesman Di Pettifer said: "I think it's sad right-wing candidates try to jump on the bandwagon and cash in in places where they think there may be a backlash against asylum proposal."

She said Mr Starkey had promised to stand candidates in every ward for the local elections, but he was the only person who represented the National Front.

Ms Pettifer added: "We deplore anything which will stir up bad feeling between different members of the community."

A spokesman for the Anti-Nazi League said: "The BNP and NF made grand claims for the European and local elections and did not make any kind of breakthrough."

The NF has said it intends to hold a meeting later this month to choose the other three candidates and which Oxfordshire areas they will target.

Mr Starkey stood as a candidate for Cherwell District Council but polled just 142 votes in 2003 and 231 this year.