Ashburton - A cat called Mandu has hit the campaign trail in its attempt to become new leader of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party.
The four-year-old ginger tom had a nose-to-nose meeting with his only rival in the leadership contest - his owner, the party chairman and deputy leader, Mr Alan Hope.
The election takes place today on the second day of the four-day party conference in Mr Hope's Golden Lion Hotel, Ashburton, Devon. It follows the death of the party founder and leader, Screaming Lord Sutch (58), who committed suicide at his London home in June.