Concerns Wirral Council’s controversial newspaper would breach a second set of Government guidelines have led to the next planned edition being scrapped.

Following a question raised by Tory councillor Ian Lewis last week, the town hall has now decided not to publish April's edition of Wirral View.

With the ballot for Merseyside "metro mayor" taking place on May 4, the paper would clash with Government guidelines on publishing material during an election period to influence votes.

The so-called "purdah" rules say: "Political activity connected with mayoral elections falls within the definition of local political activity and is subject to the same restrictions as local elections."

Councillor Lewis said: “It seems breaking two sets of Government guidance is a step too far, even for Wirral Council.

“We know they are in breach on the code on local authority publicity and we hope and expect a Government challenge to the publication on those grounds.

“Two weeks ago we were advised that these restrictions would begin on March 24.

"It seems that the council cabinet, until we asked, did not believe this applied to them.

He added “It’s good that it’s been dropped for April - and that should save the taxpayers a small amount of money.

"But what we need now is to scrap it altogether and put the funds to better use on the services people want.”

A council spokesman said they were fully aware of purdah restrictions and had decided not to publish in May.

Separate guidelines for town hall newspapers say they should not be published more than quarterly and not resemble commercial newspapers.

Wirral View is produced monthly and has sparked several warnings from local government minister Marcus Jones.

The minister has written to the authority advising he will take legal action unless it stops breaking the rules.

Backlash against "propaganda on the rates" - click here.