The controversial list sees members from Sunderland, Washington, Boldon, Peterlee, Houghton, Seaham and Easington all named, including some as young as 16.

According to the list, the party has more than 800 members in the North East and North Yorkshire.

In some cases mobile numbers, email addresses and hobbies were also included.

The Echo spoke to one woman named on the list from Sunderland who asked to remain anonymous.

She said: "The information shouldn't have been leaked out but everyone has the right to their opinions.

"I wouldn't want everyone to know my name and I'm not a member any more but I'm entitled to my beliefs."

Another member named on the list said it was "disgusting" that the details had been made public.

BNP activist Adam Walker appears on the list. The former Houghton Kepier School teacher faced allegations that he posted comments about asylum seekers and immigrants on an Internet forum while at work.

Northumbria Police are investigating after receiving one complaint from a man worried that his details had been released and BNP leader Nick Griffin has said that the party will request a general police investigation.

Alan Brettwood, secretary for Sunderland BNP, said: "I can't comment fully at the moment but I don't think the list will put anyone at risk. If members are concerned they should contact Ken Booth, the regional organiser."

Ken Booth said: "This is not a current list and there are quite a few deceased members on it.

"The list was never leaked – I think it has been stolen by someone who has infiltrated the party.

"Our members have nothing to be frightened of. It is not a criminal offence to be a member.

"We will weather the storm and get on with the next election."

More than 12,000 supporters of the controversial political party were named on the Internet blog.

It is thought that one of the named on the list is a serving police officer, even though they are banned from joining because of their role in race relations.

Police have now called independent investigators to look at the claim.

A spokesman for the Independent Police Complaints Commission said it is waiting for official referral of the complaint about a male officer on Merseyside.

The list also includes the name of one man alleged to be a vicar, and another said to be a prison officer.

The details were removed from the original blog where they were published but remains available on other websites.

According to the BNP, the published list is based on its 2007 membership list although a number of names of people who were not, or are not, party members had allegedly been added.

Earlier this year, the party said it obtained an injunction at the High Court in Manchester banning any publication of the list.

The Information Commission will contact the BNP for the full facts of the case before deciding whether any action will be taken, a spokesman said.

The BNP's policies include voluntary repatriation of non-whites and it is against mixed marriages.

Twenty-four British National Party candidates ran in Sunderland's local Government elections in May, but none managed to secure a seat.