A POLITICAL party caused confusion this week when it took the same name as a countryside campaign group for a council election.

Rural Oxfordshire Action Rally (In The Vale) has registered 13 candidates in local elections for Vale of White Horse District Council.

But it was forced to drop “in the Vale” from its name due to electoral rules, causing confusion between it and campaign group Rural Oxfordshire Action Rally (Roar).

Yesterday, chairman of Roar Peter Jay distanced himself from the party, which he said was completely separate.

He said: “We are not and never will endorse any political party. Our mandate is to raise awareness on the issues of failures of [the National Planning Policy Framework] and lobby to close loopholes that favour economic development over local sustainable planning needs.

“We are not fielding any local or national political candidates.”

Rural Oxfordshire Action Rally (In The Vale) said its name had to be changed because electoral rules say a party’s name must be no longer than six words.

It said it would seek to “work in cooperation” with Roar, based in Woodstock.

In a statement, the party said: “If this is the only way we are able to bring our intentions into the public domain, then that is what we have to do. However our intention is to support Roar and maintain a strong and committed working relationship.”

Parties fielding candidates in the Vale elections include Labour, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Green Party, Ukip and National Health Action Party. There is an independent candidate.