A LABOUR county council candidate has had to withdraw from the upcoming county council elections because the rules don’t allow him to stand.

Under the Local Government Act 1972, former Basingstoke and Deane Mayor Tony Jones cannot stand as the Basingstoke North West candidate in the May 2 election because he works as a part-time caretaker at Four Lanes Infant School, in Hanmore Road, Chineham, which is under Hampshire County Council control.

The 62-year-old, from Kempshott, has been replaced by Sean Keating.

Mr Jones, who represents Buckskin on Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, said: “It’s a bit ludicrous, but that’s the way legislation is.”