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The Green Party has made a formal complaint to the BBC over unfair coverage in the local election campaign.

The party won 40 seats across the country in last Friday’s local elections.

But they argue more coverage was given to Ukip, who won just one seat, the same number as the single-issue Rubbish Party.

Green co-leader Jonathan Bartley said: “It’s time the BBC recognised the widespread support for our positive vision for Britain.”

The Greens fielded a record number of candidates in Friday’s election, overtaking Ukip.

(Image: Rex Features)

But the party say, with the exception of a few items, “most of the BBC’s coverage failed to report the Green Party’s results, while giving disproportionate coverage to Ukip.”

“While UKIP makes cheap attempts to win headlines with blatantly Islamophobic policies,” Bartley said, “Greens are out making a difference to their local communities and this contrast was made clear in Friday’s election results.

“The Green Party is making gains across the country – from the Orkney Islands to the Isle of Wight – and it’s only fair we’re given proportionate coverage by our national broadcaster.”

A BBC spokesperson said: "We’re not aware of any formal complaint from the Green Party – but if we receive one, we would respond then.”