Greater Manchester mayor: Communist League candidate Peter Clifford pulls out of race

Peter Clifford, 61, was a founding member of the Communist League in 1988

A communist trade unionist candidate for Greater Manchester mayor has pulled out of the race because of the cost.

Peter Clifford, 61, from Manchester, announced in January he would contest the election on 4 May on behalf of the Communist League.

But he has withdrawn his candidacy, saying "the £5,000 deposit required is effectively an exclusion of parties with our resources and priorities".

The successful candidate will lead Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

The authority is made up of the leaders of each of the area's 10 local authorities.

The mayor will chair meetings and allocate responsibilities to the authority's cabinet.

Candidates so far are:

Sean Anstee - Conservative

Jane Brophy - Liberal Democrat

Andy Burnham - Labour

Marcus Farmer - Independent

Stephen Morris - English Democrats

Shneur Odze - UKIP

Will Patterson - Green Party