A local Liberal Democrat politician has complained to a judge that "spiritual influence" was used in an attempt to convince members of a Muslim community to vote Labour during council elections in Birmingham earlier this year.

Shamsur Rehman says Kashmiri Muslims in the Washwood Heath ward were given the message that it was their "religious duty" to vote for Labour candidate Ansar Ali Khan in May.

He wants Mr Khan's election to Birmingham City Council declared "void".

Mr Rehman's allegations are due to be analysed at an Election Court trial in Birmingham later this year.

Mr Khan is expected to dispute the claims.

Election Commissioner Timothy Straker - who will sit as a judge - is expected to hear evidence at a hearing lasting more than a week.

Mr Straker analysed preliminary issues at a hearing in London.

He heard submissions from Mr Rehman, who represented himself, and from barrister Gavin Millar QC, who represented Mr Khan.

Mr Khan was not at the hearing.

Mr Rehman, a Liberal Democrat candidate in Washwood Heath, has taken legal action under the terms of the 1983 Representation Of The People Act.

He has outlined claims in a written election petition seen by Mr Straker, saying: "Undue spiritual influence was exercised so as to convince Kashmiri Muslim voters in Birmingham and in particular Washwood Heath that it was their religious duty to vote for (Mr Khan) and his Labour Party."

Mr Rehman said after the hearing: "This could bankrupt me. But I am doing it as a matter of principle."

Mr Khan was not available to comment.

A Labour spokesman said later: "This election petition is a series of vague and unsubstantiated allegations. Ansar Ali Khan is a long-standing and popular councillor.

"In the election in May he won 9,200 votes, a majority of 7,805 over his nearest rival. Mr Khan will continue to actively work for all the electors of Washwood Heath."