A candidate in today's local council elections has had his car vandalised.

Alexander Stennings' red Suzuki Swift was daubed with spray paint and covered in eggs.

It also had a rear tyre slashed.

The first-time Liberal Democrat candidate is standing in Milton Regis ward for Swale council and also in a Kent County Council by-election.

Mr Stennings, 27, is the Lib Dems' youngest candidate in the election.

He said: "This has left me completely shocked and devastated. This is my first time standing in an election. I certainly wasn't expecting this. It has been really harrowing and distressing.

"I had read about candidates in other areas being attacked but never thought something like this would happen here."

He parked the car near his home in Park Road, Sittingbourne, after a night out with his family to see the new three-hour Avengers: Endgame movie at the Odeon Chatham.

But when he went to get in his car this morning he discovered it had been targeted by vandals.

They had daubed 'Ukip' on the bonnet and drawn a German swastika and the outline of a male organ along the side.

He also found a note on the windscreen saying a neighbour had witnessed the attack and called police.

He said: "I have no idea who could have done this. I had Liberal Democrat leaflets in the car and realise there is a lot of hate in politics these days."

Mr Stennings' running mate Ben J Martin who is standing in Faversham said: "Alex was in shock this morning but was still determined to help campaign. At least they targeted his car and not him.

"But it just goes to show why young people don't want to get involved in politics these days."

Mr Stennings is a former Borden Grammar School pupil and works as a mortgage advisor in Sevenoaks.

His Lib Dem agent Keith Nevols said: "This has really shaken him up. He is our youngest candidate and this is the first time he has stood for election. He wasn't expecting this."

Mr Nevols added: "It is the first incident like this I have heard of in this area although our veteran member Peter Morgan, who is 93, had posters ripped down from outside his house the other week."

A police spokesman said: "We received a report just after 3am this morning of criminal damage to a car in Albany Road, Sittingbourne. Initial enquiries are being made."

The paint has since been removed by a garage in Faversham.

Also standing in Milton Regis Ward are Daryl Brown (Con), Jason Clinch (Swale Independents), Steve Davey (Lab), Silvia Marin (Con) and Tony Winckless (Lab).

The county council candidates are Sarah Jayne Aldridge (Con), Jason Clinch (Swale Ind) and Tony Winckless (Lab).

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