A MIDDLESBROUGH mayoral candidate has declared as "ludicrous" suggestions the election might have to be rerun because he put his parents' house on his nomination form instead of his home address.

The new leader of Middlesbrough Council could be in post for a matter of days if the process is later declared invalid.

It follows allegations made against Andy Preston of misleading voters by putting his parents' address in Acklam, Middlesbrough, down instead of his own home in South Otterington, near Northallerton, North Yorkshire.

Mr Preston, however, said the suggestion was based on ‘ridiculous’ and ‘puerile’ allegations.

Authorities are powerless to stop the election being held on Thursday, May 7, and announce the evening after the man to replace Ray Mallon.

However, anyone claiming malpractice can petition Middlesbrough Council’s returning officer up to 21 days after the election result is declared and have it referred to the High Court in London where a judge will decide its validity.

Mr Preston, who has businesses and charities based in Middlesbrough, said he put his parents' home in Acklam on his nomination form as he will be staying there throughout the campaign, instead of his own property several miles away over security fears.

He denied misleading voters after being criticised in a joint letter sent to The Northern Echo last week by other independent contenders, Dave Roberts, Len Junier and Michael Carr.

Mr Roberts said tonight (Wednesday): “As a candidate who is standing on complete transparency and openness, it’s essential to the people of Middlesbrough that due process for the election is followed to the letter even if it means rerunning the whole election again. That’s something I don’t want, but the election must be fair and proper.

“It would be a massive discredit to the town if the election needed to be rerun," said Mr Carr, while Mr Junier added: “I want to win because people voted for me, not because of a technical error.”

Mr Preston hit back at the claims, saying: “The idea that the election may have to be rerun, based on ridiculous and puerile allegations, is a ludicrous suggestion.

“This is desperate muck-raking by fellow candidates based on extraordinarily petty paperwork discrepancies.

“The idea that I’m not entitled to live in my family home during the election isn’t worthy of comment.

“This whole mud-slinging nonsense is an absurd attempt by those who are greedy for power, money and status to stop people voting for the change they want."