Islington North’s Conservative candidate for the next general election was announced.

“Dark-haired bachelor” Ronald Bartle promised to win over the whole constituency, “in spite of a dislike for kissing babies”.

He was never elected.

Meanwhile, a 60-year-old man was run over while pushing a pram with a mattress attached to it.

James Howell, of Hornsey Road, Holloway, was crossing Parkhurst Road when a first car hit the pram. He was then thrown into the air into the path of a second car.

St Pancras Coroner’s Court recorded a verdict of accidental death, saying he had taken a risk by crossing the road with an unlit pram. There was no explanation as to why he was transporting a mattress.