CONTROVERSIAL Conservative candidate for North Ayrshire & Arran at the General Election, Philip Lardner has been issued a written warning by his employers.

He said this week he will appeal.

Renfrewshire Council have rapped schoolteacher Lardner - who was eventually suspended as a candidate by the Tories but stood as an Independent - over comments he made about homosexuals on his website. A gay group had complained about them.

The war of words escalated when a number of Party members continued to back Mr Lardner - campaigning on his behalf and giving support on election night - leading to the resignation of Dalry and West Kilbride councillor Robert Barr.

For the full story see this week's Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald.