BOLTON'S mayor-elect could be called before an Elections Court after he breached electoral law on one of his official campaign leaflets.

Councillor Cliff Morris -- who is due to take over as mayor after the election -- is in trouble because he accidentally missed the name of his printer off his election brochures.

It is thought Cllr Morris could escape punishment because of the relatively minor nature of the offence.

But if he is found guilty, an Elections Court could nullify the election result, fine him or even ban him from politics.

Greater Manchester Police and the council's elections office are currently involved in talks to decide if any action will be necessary.

Returning Officer Bernard Knight, who is also chief executive of Bolton Council, said he had no jurisdiction over the matter.

But he added: "If any elector believes there has been a breach, they are free to refer this matter to an Election Court.

"It is important that election candidates publish the name of printers on leaflets to avoid problems around electoral expenses and anonymous leaflets."

Cllr Morris is standing for re-election in the Labour stronghold of Halliwell after serving on the council for 20 years.

In the event of a mayor not being able to take up his post, his predecessor is normally expected to continue the role -- which requires its incumbent to be politically impartial.

However, the present Mayor, Cllr John Walsh, has indicated that he is relishing a return to the political arena at the end of his year in the job -- suggesting that he would like to hand over the role at the end of his term.

Cllr Morris accepts he has broken electoral law but said it had been an "honest mistake".

He said: "I honestly don't know what has happened. I thought I had covered everything.

"At present, I do not know the implications -- but I am hoping they will not be anything drastic.

"All the leaflets have now been distributed, so I don't know what I can do about it.

"I could walk around Halliwell asking for every one back, but that is not realistic."

The campaign leaflet did name Cllr Morris's publisher, the Labour group chairman John Hartshorne -- but not the printer.

Mr Hartshorne said he believed the mayor-elect was the victim of a smear campaign.

He added: "Cliff accepts full responsibility, and we are willing to put out another leaflet apologising for the mistake."

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "We are currently liaising with the local authority with regard to this matter."

Cllr Morris's opponents in the contest for the Halliwell ward are: Howard Broadbent (Socialist Labour Party); John Greenwood (Socialist Alliance Against the War); James Kevin Hinegan (Conservative); and Anne Sanders Warren (Liberal Democrats).