A Sutton Conservative party candidate has dropped out of the upcoming May elections after announcing plans to move away.

Leon Emirali, who was standing for Beddington North, made the announcement on March 10.

He will be replaced by Andy Williams, who previously stood for Beddington South in 2014.

Mr Emirali said: “Unfortunately, I'm soon to be moving out of the area and withdrawing my candidacy. Although I still would have been eligible to stand as a candidate, I don't think it would have been right or fair to serve as a councillor whilst not living locally.

"I don't believe I would have been able to give the dedication and commitment needed to represent the community properly."

The media entrepreneur and investor is currently a mentor with the Social Mobility Foundation and co-founder of a marketing agency after it launched in 2015.

He was first elected to serve in local government in 2012.

He added: "It’s been such a pleasure meeting so many great people on the doorstep whilst campaigning. I’m sad to be standing down, but I believe it’s the right thing to do.

“It’s a big responsibility to serve in local government and it’s vitally important that local representatives are able to dedicate the proper time and effort to doing a good job for the community.

“My move away from the area means that just wouldn’t have been possible.”

Mr Williams joins Malcolm Brown and Alison Huneke as the Conservative party’s candidates for Beddington North on the ballot paper.

The elections will take place on May 3.