A CANDIDATE in the coming local elections has vowed to campaign as 'the man with no name' if his first choice of identity is ruled out by officials.

Conversations at the school gates prompted parents in Brompton-on-Swale to nominate Leslie Rowe to challenge for the Catterick division seat on North Yorkshire County Council on June 7.

Disillusioned with the service provided by the local authority, the newly-formed action group was to fight for a seat under the banner Parents For Education.

However, that would mean registering as a political party - which costs money. And with no funds to speak of, Parents For Education seems unlikely to appear on the ballot papers.

However, the movement has decided instead to urge those who support their cause simply to put their cross next to Mr Rowe's name, which will still appear at the bottom of the form.

"You will not see Parents for Education on the ballot paper as we are not a political party; we are just ordinary parents concerned about getting better education for our kids," said Mr Rowe yesterday.

"Politics should be kept out of local government; we should be encouraging local people to take part in democracy, not putting up barriers to prevent them standing," he added.

A county council spokesman confirmed legislation has been introduced since the last election to clear up confusion.

"In the past, there have been cases when candidates have stood under the names of the three main parties, even when they haven't been representing them, while there have been a lot of others campaigning on issues such as Parents For Education.

"The new regulations were introduced to make things simpler, limiting candidates to registered political parties.

"Mr Rowe still has the option of standing as an independent candidate but, as the Parents For Education group are not a national organisation, it is unlikely the name will appear on the ballot papers.''

Also standing in Catterick division are Ann Bagley, Lib Dem; James Fryer, Independent; Karl Les, Conservative; Nick Miller, Labour; and Tony Pelton.