Police were called to a polling station after tempers flared in a row over whether a candidate had breached electoral rules.

The heated argument broke out while voters went to cast their ballot in Birchington-on-Sea in Thanet and officers were called to step in.

It related to a promotional board for the Conservative candidate, Phil Fellows, on the side of his van which was parked next to the polling station for the Birchington South ward.

Polling station staff phoned the Electoral Commission to seek clarification about whether it was allowed, with officials ruling it should be removed.

It is claimed Mr Fellows refused on a couple of occasions to remove the board until the Electoral Commission were contacted.

It is alleged the row sparked a "disturbance" between Mr Fellows and another candidate, Suzanne Brimm, who called police at about 10.30am.

A police spokesman said: "Kent Police was called to Kent Gardens in Birchington following reports of a disturbance between two people.

"Officers attended where both parties were spoken to and words of advice given."

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