David Guynan was among nine residents standing for five places on the board of the £54million Hendon regeneration project, Back on the Map (Botm).

Mr Guynan was a British National party candidate in the General Election.

He tried to win a seat in last year's Botm poll – but this year received just 57 of the 338 votes.

The five winners were Fred Henderson, Geoff Moon, Rosalyn Warner, Pam Bolden and Tafazzal Hussain.

Rosalyn stood as the Official Monster Raving Loony party candidate in last year's General Election, calling herself Mad Cow-Girl.

Those elected last night will sit as resident members of Botm's partnership board, which is responsible for investing £54million in Hendon and over 10 years.

Jules Preston, Botm's chairman said he "did not support and could not support the policies" of the BNP.

"If he had been democratically elected it would have been something we would have had to manage. But the residents haven't voted him in and that's all that's important," he said.

"This is now our second election and they seem to be working tremendously well. The directors elected last time are making a very real contribution.

"We've made progress in environment, education and health but we've still got a bit to do in housing and community safety."

Last night's election count at the Raich Carter Centre in Hendon came after a three-month election campaign.

A total of 780 residents had registered for the postal vote but only 338 returned their ballot papers.

Sunderland's longest serving pub landlord, Geoff Moon, who has run the Welcome Tavern for 15 years, was elected to represent the East End area.

Geoff, 42, who is married to 41-year-old Julie and has three children, said: "I want to see more changes. I will hopefully put new ideas and different points of view to the committee.

"Hendon Beach is a major concern. I'm also passionate about sport and recreation – that's the foundation for the young ones. Since they put the new road in there are no football facilities in the East End or Hendon."

Great-grandad Fred Henderson, who lives in Lambton Tower, was also elected to represent residents in the East End.

Fred, 78, who is chairman of the Three Ls Association, said he hoped to be "somebody who is willing to use their voice and not be a yes man".

He said: "We've got wonderful people living in the East End. The money is for the people and, in this democratic world, I'm hopeful that we are able to do more.

"I would like to see the whole area uplifted so people have got the facilities that I believe they are entitled to."

Divorcee Fred is a retired works manager, and has five children, nine grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. He has lived in the East End for 17 years.

Victorious Rosalyn Warner, 44, said: "I want to be active in the community to help guide Back on the Map in the right direction.

"I want to help get Hendon Beach in good condition again, which they're working on at the moment. Street cleaning is another issue which is important to me – the streets are always full of litter.

"The random petty crime is another thing that needs addressing."

Single Rosalyn, who lives in Gray Road, is an intensive care nurse at Sunderland Royal Hospital and has been a resident in the area for nearly 10 years.

The five newly-elected members will sit alongside 10 other residents on Botm's board together with representatives from health, housing and employment organisations, the police and council.

The other 10 residents were elected in March 2005 and every year a third of board members must stand down to give others a chance.

Geoffrey Joyce, 16, from Hendon, was elected as the young person's representative on Botm's board after a young people's election earlier this year.