LABOUR has failed to register candidates for Blean Forest ward in the Canterbury City Council elections.

Alan Baldock, chairman of the Canterbury Labour Party, confirmed the gaffe in an email late last night.

He said: "Through no fault of the prospective Labour party candidates, the relevant nomination papers for Blean Forest ward were not received on time.

"The matter is still the subject of an ongoing internal investigation by the Labour Government Committee which oversees election matters for the Labour Party in the district."

Nominations had to be handed in to the council offices in Military Road, Canterbury, by noon on Monday.

Labour agent Andrew Fenyo said: "Labour members had worked hard in Blean Forest and were hopeful for a good result. We are very disappointed at the situation.

"We apologise to the residents of Blean Forest that there will not be an opportunity for them to show their support for Labour in this election."