A BNP activist from Croydon was reportedly on a list of people emailed by the Norway mass murderer shortly before his attacks.

John Clarke, BNP member for Croydon and Sutton is believed to be one of 1,003 contacts to have received a manifesto, sent by Anders Breivik an hour before his attack last Friday, which claimed 76 mostly children's lives.

Mr Clarke, who lives in New Addington, was reportedly among a group of senior officials, members and activists with the British National Party and English Defence League who were sent Breivik's email claiming Europe would be "overwhelmed" by Islam.

It is believed Breivik called the recipients of his email "Western European Patriots," and urged them to forward the email to "everyone they know."

Despite the email being sent from Norway, Breivik signed the email "Andrew Berwick, London, England."

According to reports, the email was sent at 2.08pm and at 3.26pm a large bomb was detonated outside government buildings in the Norwegian capital Oslo.

In a second attack less than two hours later, Breivik opened fire at a youth camp for 14-19 year olds on the island of Utoeya.

Dressed as a police officer, he went on an hour-long shooting spree firing at young people who ran to escape or tried to swim to safety.

Mr Clarke, a mechanical engineer who stood as a candidate for Sutton and Cheam in the 2010 general elections, was educated at Croydon College.

In 2006 he sought election as a BNP candidate in Merton, but was reported to police for using a false address on his nomination papers to get round the rule requiring council candidates to live or work in the borough.

However, no charges were ever brought against him and he went on to receive 599 votes in St Helier ward.

In an interview with the Sutton Guardian before the election, Mr Clarke said he became a member of the BNP after becoming unhappy with the way the country was changing through mass immigration and liberal attitudes.