ONE of the candidates battling to represent York has claimed a driver threatened to mow her down as she crossed a city road with her TV star daughter.

Susan Wade Weeks, who is contesting York Central for the Conservatives on May 6, said she was left “shocked” by the incident in Lord Mayor’s Walk on Sunday as she headed home for a birthday celebration.

She spoke out against the personal abuse she said she has been subjected to on the campaign trail as her as daughter, Honeysuckle Weeks, who is currently starring in ITV’s Foyle’s War, joined her to canvas for support in Parliament Street yesterday. Honeysuckle also had to jump out of the way when the car accelerated towards them.

Ms Wade Weeks said: “The road was empty and as we prepared to cross, the car was going at a normal speed, but then it sped up and narrowly missed Honeysuckle.

“We were wearing our party colours and rosettes and carrying Conservative literature at the time, and it just left me very shocked.

“We didn’t have time to do anything about it or get the registration number of the car.

“It knocked me for six and I find it terribly sad.

“It’s one thing to hold different political opinions, but the personal abuse I’ve received is something different, and although it might just be a tiny minority, one thing I will do if elected is to work to improve public manners.”

Honeysuckle took time out from her touring role in a production of Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution to support her mother, with her actor brother, Rollo, also helping the push for support yesterday.

She said: “I’m loving it because York is the most beautiful city I’ve ever been to and it’s great fun to be here. I’m very proud of my mother and, apart from what happened on Sunday, the people have been fantastic and extremely friendly.”