A Labour councillor has stepped down from running as a parliamentary candidate after it emerged she owed parking fines and late payment fees.

Josie Channer, councillor for Thames ward, picked up the fines in Barking and Dagenham, which according to the BBC totalled more than £2,000.

She was campaigning to win the Kingswood seat near Bristol and said this week that circumstances meant she could no longer “devote the time and resources necessary” to continue,

Ms Channer, who was reportedly fined 10 times over three years, said she thought the penalty notices had been dealt with.

She told the BBC: “Last year I learned that the charges were still live and had incurred late payment fees so I have contacted the council and agreed a repayment plan to pay off the fine.”

The council has confirmed that Cllr Channer had outstanding parking fines and fees and added: “We have an agreed payment plan in place. This would be the same with any member of the public.”

The future of her position as a Barking and Dagenham councillor is not yet known.