A CANDIDATE put forward for election to South Lakeland District Council has had his nomination papers declared invalid.

The name of Grange resident Alan Easton was used as a nomination by UKIP to contest the Kendal Fell ward on May 22.

But the submission to stand has now been blocked by Debbie Storr, the council's Returning Officer and deputy chief executive.

SLDC explained that this was because the nomination papers were declared invalid.

"The reason for it being declared invalid was that no electoral number was given and the wrong party description was given," said the spokeswoman.

And Mr Easton told the Gazette that while he supported UKIP, he had no real intention of standing for the seat and had simply allowed the party to put his name forward as a 'paper' candidate.

"I'm too old to stand," Mr Easton explained before referring the Gazette to the local UKIP representative who could not be contacted.

Mr Easton was proposed by a Jean Mant, second by a Joan Fish.

On May 22, 17 seats are up for election to South Lakeland District Council and 72 candidates are standing.

The Kendal Fell ward will now be contested by

CONS: Micky Pierson, of Helsington

LAB: Virginia Elizabeth Branney, of Kendal

LIB DEM: Giles Archibald, of Kendal

GREEN: Gwen Harrison, of Kendal

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