A spot cleaner named 'Swifty' is making a bid to run for Staines' next mayor. The electronic upholstery specialist has applied to run for office in the Riverside ward in the Spelthorne local elections on 7th May.

Swifty - a large water-filled vacuum cleaner designed to remove spills and stains - would be the first inanimate object to stand for election in the UK. Throughout the Taking Care of Staines mayoral campaign, Swifty will be giving back to the community by providing a helping hand to any local charities, community groups, or organisations that need it.

It is campaigning on a platform of helping the residents and volunteers who take care of the borough on a day-to-day basis.

According to the application Swifty is committed to delivering on campaign promises through providing free cleaning tools and squads, to be used by local community projects or organisations how they see fit.

Throughout the election cycle, the clean squad will be out and about across Staines, getting stuck in wherever they're needed. Whether that's cleaning up a communal garden, giving the community activity hall carpets a proper going-over, or tidying up after a husting. When the job's done, all the tools stay with the community group.

Swifty's mayoral campaign manager, Ben Fogg, said: "We were inspired by seeing the amazing work of the Spelthorne Litter Pickers and wondered if we might be able to do our bit.

"We have the tools and the manpower to help with any cleaning or tidying project - inside and out. So just get in touch."

Tom Leather, director of Swifty's parent company RYOBI, said: "We're based just 20 minutes up the road, so we're neighbours really.

"When we heard about all the great community and clean-up initiatives in Staines, we wondered if we could help. That's what neighbours do isn't it? Lend each other tools and an extra pair of hands."

Switfy is not the first 'non-human' candidate for an election. Around 40 AD, the Roman Emperor Caligula put forward his favourite horse Incitatus, meaning Swift, for the senate. In 2005, a Fire Hydrant came within six votes of being elected to the board of the University of British Columbia.

In 1967 in Picoaza, Ecuador a deodorising foot powder called Pulvapies was actually elected mayor, much to the chagrin of the human candidates. And Swifty hopes to carry on this tradition.

Ben Fogg added: "Swifty isn't affiliated with any political parties, nor is he a protest vote, he's just here to try help the local community and raise some extra awareness around the local election.

"Who knows, he might even act as a reminder to people that the election is happening on May 7th, so get out and vote folks."