Fancy dress could be a regular fixture in Parliament if Dartford plumps for a quirky election candidate.

John Crockford, of the Fancy Dress Party (FDP), is standing as an alternative option for constituents mulling over their options before the May 6 vote.

The retired civil servant, of Bedford Road, Dartford, founded the party in 1979.

His policies include reducing the size of crime figures by using a smaller font, cutting school class sizes to 3ft by 3ft 6in, and making sure children get a healthy diet of "food glorious food, hot sausage and mustard".

In a take on Labour's election slogan "A Future Fair for All", Mr Crockford says the FDP will offer a "future circus for all".

The party is seen as a forerunner to the Monster Raving Loony Party, famously fronted by the late Screaming Lord Sutch.

It last featured in a general election in Dartford in 2001, when Keith Davenport polled 344 votes - 0.8 per cent of the total cast.