A row over treating has broken out in Reading East after an event at the local Pakistani Community Association was referred to the police. New guidelines have now been issued to candidates by the election monitoring officer to avoid confusion.

His advice on correct behaviour with a potential voter reads: "Offering to pour a cuppa does not count as treating and asking a constituent whether they would like one lump or two is perfectly allowable. I would caution about asking whether they would like a hob-nob with that as that is open to interpretation. Offering prime real estate for a pound seems to be okay. However, it should be emphasised that election law is not there as an excuse for candidates to dodge their round."