A pensioner cleared yesterday of racially abusing a traffic warden is standing as a British National Party candidate in local elections tomorrow.

Christopher Stone, 67, is the far-right party's only candidate in the elections to Exeter City Council and is standing in the Priory ward.

Yesterday the retired lorry driver was acquitted of abusing the parking attendant, Sarah Marillier-Brown, outside a car boot sale in the Marsh Barton area of the city last July.

He was accused of launching a tirade of racist language after approaching her while she ticketed vehicles parked on a single yellow line.

During his evidence, Mr Stone said he had not been ticketed himself but was complaining because an elderly woman who had been given a ticket could not afford to pay it and that it was poorly signed.

Mr Stone claimed the traffic department in Exeter operated a ticketing system which discriminated against white people. Recorder Palmer QC suggested this was "an extraordinary view".

Mr Stone said he did not believe the case would affect his chances in tomorrow's council election.

"I'm very, very confident," said Mr Stone. "I'm not a racist. I want to stand up for the ordinary people in the street."

He added: "The BNP is not a racist party and we are not thugs."