A Britain First member who planned to stand for the new Dorset Council fighting for a seat in the Weymouth area is missing from the official candidates list.

Ken Kearsey's campaigning in the Littlemoor and Preston division for the far-right party sparked a backlash last month after it was revealed that he'd handed out leaflets in the area as part of his election campaign.

Opponents of Britain First, the Stand up to Racism Dorset campaign group, met at Littlemoor to distribute their own leaflets and deliver their own message in response.

At the time, Philip Marfleet, one of the founders of Stand up to Racism Dorset, said: "We are very concerned that out of the blue Britain First has appeared in Weymouth to stand in local elections and ask people for their votes. This organisation is very undesirable."

The official candidate list for the upcoming Dorset Council elections was released on Thursday, April 4.

Eight people have been nominated for election in the Littlemoor and Preston ward from different parties, including two independents, but Mr Kearsey is not listed as a nominee.

The Dorset Echo has attempted to contact Mr Kearsey and the Britain First group for further information on why he is not standing but has received no response.

It was reported that Mr Kearsey was due to be appointed as a lay pastoral assistant in the Church of England.

However the Bishop of Sherborne, the Rt Revd Karen Gorham, wrote to him explaining this would be withdrawn if he continues to be a member of Britain First.

Mr Kearsey responded to say that he 'genuinely felt he was doing God's will, was 100% committed to Britain First and would not back down'.