A COUNCIL candidate is reaching a national audience with his appearance on Deal or No Deal.

Pendle Liberal Democrats chairman and candidate for Barrowford ward in next month's Pendle Council election Derek Mann will make his first appearance on the show today.

But for the next two weeks he will only be seen opening boxes for the playing contestant.

His session in the hot seat, with the chance to win up to £250,000 in the game of chance, will not come until May 16.

Mr Mann, 71, of Knotts Lane, Colne, is now retired, but spent more than 20 years teaching pupils with special needs across Lancashire.

He had no problems adjusting to the studio, though, because before teaching he was a sound engineer for the BBC.

He said: "It was all recorded a couple of months ago.

"But I haven't told anyone other than my wife what I won - not even my children know.

"All I'm going to tell people before it airs is that I didn't win the £250,000, but I didn't just get 1p either.

"It was a fantastic experience."