Two men have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit election fraud around this month's Norwich City Council elections.

Norwich Evening News: Scenes from the Norwich City Council election count. Picture: Ian BurtScenes from the Norwich City Council election count. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2018)

Norfolk police arrested two men at an address in Norwich this morning, following an allegation around the signatures for the nomination for the Conservative candidate in Mancroft ward.

Police said a 28-year-old man and a 21-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit election fraud, specifically conspiracy to submit nomination papers containing fraudulent signatures.

The Conservative candidate for Mancroft ward was Iain Gwynn, but it is understood he is not one of the men who has been arrested. There is no suggestion that Mr Gwynn was aware of the alleged activity.

The two arrested men are in police custody awaiting questioning.

Norwich Evening News: Ian Gwynn, who was the Conservative candidate for Mancroft. Pic: Conservative Party.Ian Gwynn, who was the Conservative candidate for Mancroft. Pic: Conservative Party. (Image: Conservative Party)

The allegation of electoral fraud was made in the run-up to election day - May 3 - with Norwich City Council suggesting the matter needed to be referred to the police.

A spokeswoman for Norwich City Council said the authority was not able to comment because of the legal proceedings.

Candidates in elections must be supported by the signatures of 10 registered electors from the ward.

Mr Gwynn received 373 votes for the Conservatives in the election. He was in third place in that ward, behind Labour winner Jo Smith, with 1,248 and Green runner-up Sandra Bogelein, with 1,171.

The Liberal Democrat candidate Sarah Tustin received 139 votes, with a 35pc turnout.