A CONSERVATIVE candidate standing in the local election has been suspended from the party after failing to declare a pending drink-driving court case, where he was later convicted.

Ben Wong, 48, of South Dragon House takeaway on Silver Street, put his name forward to stand in the Victoria ward in the May 2 elections under the Conservative party, but has since been suspended following his conviction.

Nominations closed to stand for election on April 3, but he stood trial at Taunton Magistrates' Court on March 21 - something the local Somerset Conservatives were unaware of.

Mr Wong, who said in his candidate profile he had 'something to offer' his area of town, was fined £240 after he was caught driving under the influence of alcohol on February 9 earlier this year.

READ MORE: Click here for details - and profiles - of candidates in the local elections

He pleaded guilty to being more than twice the legal limit, with 73 microgrammes of alcohol on his breath when driving a Volvo S40 in Bridgwater Road, Taunton.

Mr Wong was also given a 20-month driving ban and ordered to pay £85 costs and £30 victim surcharge.

A Conservative Party spokesperson said: “Mr Wong did not make us aware of the pending trial and has been suspended from the party."

He is set to stand against Edmund Bailhache (UKIP), Simon Coles (Lib Dem), Charlie Grabham (Lab), Richard Lees (Lib Dem), and Stephen Martin-Scott (Con).

Mr Wong has been contacted for a comment.