AN aid worker hoping to become mayor of Middlesbrough says his election campaign is suffering because of a lack of funds.

Independent candidate Rod Jones, whose Convoy Aid charity takes supplies to Romania, cannot afford to pay the £500 needed to feature in a Middlesbrough Council publication which will be delivered to every household in the town before the election, on May 2.

"This election is supposed to be for everybody, but I am being penalised because I cannot come up with the money," he said.

"All the other candidates will get their profile in this magazine, but I won't get a mention. It is totally unfair."

Mr Jones, 54, lives on disability benefits and found it hard enough to come up with the £500 deposit to stand as a candidate. That cash is returned to candidates who get more than five per cent of the vote.

Now, unable to find the non-returnable £500 needed to pay for an election address in the booklet, he is worried that voters will not know who he is, or what he stands for.

"For starters, I'm interested in opening up the area for tourism and giving people a place to go in their own town," he said.

"When you think what has been done in Hartlepool and Stockton, it's fantastic. Middlesbrough needs something on that scale."

Mr Jones also wants to see youth facilities improved, would aim to tackle homelessness, and improve public transport and education.

A Middlesbrough Council spokesman said the fee to appear in the magazine was a fair one and would go towards printing and delivery costs.

* Anyone willing to donate A4 paper to Mr Jones so he can print his election address is asked to contact him on (01642) 850264, or 07790 634044.