A CANDIDATE in the forthcoming Craven District Council elections left the Conservatives just days after the party headhunted him to stand.

Alan Perrow, who is chairman of Craven Ratepayers Action Group (CRAG), climbed on board the Conservative election trail in a bid to gain allies.

But, the Cowling man resigned from the party on Tuesday to stand independently after admitting he was "too confrontational" for the local Tory party.

He told the Herald: "The party approached me and asked me to join. It seemed to be a good idea, two heads are better than one if I could gain allies.

"But unfortunately my style has been a little too confrontational for the local Tory party."

Mr Perrow admitted if his campaign had been successful, he would probably have ended up resigning anyway which would have meant he had campaigned under a false banner.

He added: "It is a shame it couldn't work with the Tory party, I expect I will be working with them and other Independents and Liberal Democrats. I will work with anyone who wants to get best value for money for council tax payers."

Local Tory party leader Councillor Chris Knowles-Fitton said he had been left "disappointed and bewildered" by Mr Perrow's departure.

He admitted he had approached Mr Perrow to join the party after being impressed with his concern and commitment as chairman of CRAG.

But he said Mr Perrow had an "obsessional concern with figures". "I tried to explain to him that's not a battle to fight now, that's the battle if we get elected," he added.

"At our level, we are not terribly political. We have to work with members of the opposition and Mr Perrow was more confrontational than I think would be suitable."

Mr Perrow, who will still be shown as a Conservative on the voting papers, will stand against current district councillor fellow Independent Philip Barrett in the Glusburn ward.

The election takes place on May 4.