A FORMER Nelson man is fighting to become a councillor with a 'legalise cannabis' campaign.

Marcus Davies, who admits using the banned drug to ease symptoms of epilepsy, is standing as a Legalise Cannabis Alliance candidate in Peterborough.

Mr Davies, 31, was born and brought up in Nelson and attended Devereux preparatory school in the town. He left Pendle for Peterborough two years ago.

He believes cannabis should be legalised for medicinal and recreational purposes.

"I was diagnosed as having grand mal epilepsy in 1988 and I was prescribed all sorts of drugs which left me still having seizures," explained Mr Davies. "As a last resort and on the advice of a doctor I tried cannabis and I have never looked back.

"There is no reason whatsoever for the Government to drag its feet on allowing cannabis to be used for medicinal purposes. It's never killed anybody.

"When I first decided to stand I thought I didn't have much of a chance but I wanted to use it to highlight the issue.

"But the support I've been receiving is fantastic and I think the other candidates are looking over their shoulders now."

Mr Davies said his mother Margaret, who died of liver cancer earlier this year, used cannabis to ease her pain.

His step-brother Steve Taylor, of Halifax Road, Nelson, said his family's experience of using the drug for medicinal purposes had convinced him cannabis should be legalised.

"My mother tried it and it helped her in her last few weeks," he said. "I'm supportive of what my brother is doing. He's had the bottle to stand up for what he believes.

"Cannabis can be quite good for people in certain circumstances."