AN election candidate has been arrested on suspicion of assault after an incident with a neighbour in a row over chopping down a tree.

Derek Fisher, who is standing for UKIP in next week’s Bolton Council elections, is alleged to have assaulted a woman after she confronted him over his plans to cut down the tree in Osmund Avenue, Breightmet.

Mr Fisher, is standing for election in Tonge with The Haulgh.

Police were called at about 3pm yesterday.

A woman, aged 29, who asked not to be named, said: “I saw a man going over with the chainsaw and ran over to tell him to stop.”

The man turned off the chainsaw and the woman called police.

Officers arrested a man on suspicion of assault and he was taken into custody for questioning.

It is believed the incident follows a long running dispute in the road over trees.

UKIP Bolton chairman Cllr Paul Richardson said: “We have no details of the alleged incident at this stage and until there is a charge it would be inappropriate to comment one way or the other."

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “We were contacted at about 3pm after reports of a neighbour dispute.

“When officers attended the scene they located a female who appeared to have suffered an assault.

“They arrested a male on suspicion of assault.”