A PARLIAMENTARY candidate has called for the postponement of the General Election.

Liberal Democrat Chris Foote Wood, who will try to oust Bishop Auckland MP Derek Foster, says both the national and county elections should be put on hold. Both are expected to take place on May 3.

Councillor Foote Wood wrote to leader Charles Kennedy: "Now that the government has admitted that it will take several months to eliminate this dreadful disease, this would have the effect of delaying the general Election at least until the autumn.

"Any county council should be allowed to delay this May's election if their area is particularly badly affected by foot-and-mouth."

But Bob Pendlebury, deputy leader of Durham County Council, said: "The feeling in the Local Government Association is that we want to wait until the last moment, just in case there is a levelling off in the number of cases.