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An election candidate in Frome is likely to intrigue a few voters by appearing on the ballot as just “Derek”.

Voters in the Somerset County Council division of Frome West have received postal ballot papers with one candidate referred to only by his first name.

Derek, who is running for The Liberal Party, has been hailed by one amused Twitter user as “so liberal, he doesn't need a surname.”

Derek, whose full name is Derek Tanswell, is hoping to retain his seat in the Somerset County Council elections on Thursday, May 4.

Mendip District Council has confirmed that the ballot papers accurately reflect the nomination papers submitted by Derek and he is entitled to stand using only his first name.

A spokesman said: “This was a difficult situation, especially as the Electoral Commission’s guidance does not envisage that a candidate might be commonly known by just one name.

“After careful consideration, which involved the Commission, it was decided that if it was clear from the nomination paper that this was his commonly used name, without a surname, then it was permissible.

“As a result, the nominations are accurate as published and the candidate is entitled to stand using just his first name.”

When contacted Mr Tanswell confirmed that he was able to stand using only his first name but did not wish to comment further on the issue.

Mr Tanswell, who has previously run for UKIP, is well-known in the town.

He became national news during the 2015 general election when an error-strewn UKIP leaflet was marked by an English teacher and quickly went viral.

(Image: SWNS)

The mistakes included using the word “perpetually” instead of “perpetuity”, American English, clumsy 60-word long sentences and missing possessive plural apostrophes.

The leaflet also repeatedly used the word 'your', instead of 'you'll', and at the bottom states 'IF YOU VOTE UKIP YOUR GET UKIP'.

Mr Tanswell currently holds the Frome West seat on Somerset County Council as an independent councillor.

The Liberal Party, for which he is running, describes itself “as existing to build a Liberal Society in which every citizen shall possess liberty, property and security, and none shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity.”

It is not to be confused with The Liberal Democrats.