He's off to a flyer!

Labour's Mark Hendrick, who was selected to stand for Preston MP at a meeting last Saturday, published the election date -- Thursday, November 23 -- on hundreds of official Labour party leaflets which were distributed throughout the town last weekend.

The House of Commons announced the by-election date late on Tuesday afternoon (October 31) which will coincide with two more by-elections -- that of the late Donald Dewar's seat in Glasgow and ex-Commons speaker Betty Boothroyd's constituency of West Brom.

Now, rival Preston candidates are demanding an investigation in to the affair believing that the by-election should be fought on a "level playing field".

Many rival candidates are angry that Labour now have a head start in terms of preparation by publishing the election date in advance. Deepdale councillor Terry Cartwright, who is standing for election under the banner of the Lancashire Socialist Alliance, said: "I received this election leaflet last Sunday evening -- two full days before it was announced in the House of Commons.

"I just think it's unfair. Everyone should have the same information at the same time."

Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate, Graham O'Hare, added: "This by-election has to be fair and above-board.

"This situation gives me grave reservations as to whether Mark Hendrick is fit to be the MP for this town."

Candidate Pater Garrett, who is standing for the Preston Alliance party, added: "I'm hoping that he will be investigated regarding this.

"Elections should be fought fairly and squarely and on a level playing field. This is clearly not the case."

Labour's Mark Hendrick defended the decision to print the date by saying: "As the party that holds the Preston seat, it is down to us to choose the date -- obviously in the boundaries of the law.

"I think it was pretty common knowledge that the by-election would be called either on the 23rd or the first week in December."