THE funeral has been held for an election candidate whose death forced the postponement of a North Yorkshire poll.

John Boakes, who was due to contest the Thirsk and Malton seat for the UK Independence Party, passed away last month, shortly after nominations for the election closed.

Mourners gathered at Darlington Crematorium yesterday to pay their last respects to Mr Boakes, pictured, from Kirby Knowle, near Thirsk. His party still intends to select a new candidate to stand in the rescheduled election, to be held on May 27.

A separate district council by-election for the Norton West ward will go ahead as planned tomorrow.

The candidates who will fight the Thirsk and Malton seat are Anne McIntosh (Conservative), Jonathan Roberts (Labour), Howard Keal (Liberal Democrats) and John Clark (Liberal), as well as the new UKIP candidate, who is not expected to be confirmed until after the outcome of tomorrow’s poll.

Judith Denniss (Conservative), Hugh Spencer (Liberal Democrats) and Trevor Moss (BNP) are contesting the Norton West by-election.