A late pensioner has pulled the BNP out of debt after leaving nearly £500,000 to the far-right party upon his death.

Alfred Starmore, 77, of Buxton Road in Chingford, gave the party its largest ever donation after leaving his entire life savings to the controversial political group, amounting to £290,000, while the party recently sold his three-bed flat for £200,000, which he had bequeathed to them.

The lifetime party member had no living relatives, and was widely considered a recluse when he passed away.

The BNP’s London spokesman, Steve Squire, said: “We honestly didn’t think it was as much as that. It’s double our largest donation. He’s given us the tools to carry on.

“Naturally we were delighted that he was so generous. We’re not in debt now. It’s fantastic.”

The BNP, which denies it is racist, said they paid for Mr Starmore’s funeral, as he had been a member of the party for more than 30 years.

The party even claimed that leader Nick Griffin attended the service at Chingford Mount Cemetery to pay his respects.

Mr Squire said he had visited Mr Starmore on a number of occasions before his death in October 2011.

He said: “He was a working class guy. An average working man. He didn’t want to be interfered with or have too much contact with the world.

“He was very upset at Waltham Forest. He didn’t like the multiculturalism and didn’t feel safe anymore.”

The train driver had lived with his mother and younger brother, who had both died before Mr Starmore passed away.

The pensioner had spent most of his life driving trains and was briefly married during the 1990s.

Mr Squire said the money will fund campaigning for the next general elections after a poor showing in 2010, when the BNP received just 1.9 per cent of the vote.

What do you think of Mr Starmore’s donation? Did you know him? Call reporter Joe Curtis on 07824 530 127 or email him at jcurtis@london.newsquest.co.uk.