A Chinese opposition party activist who was standing as a candidate in a village leadership election says local officials appear to have cancelled the poll.

The man, Yu Tielong, who is a member of the new China Democracy Party, told the BBC the election had been halted after it became clear that many villagers were voting for him.

He said officials had given no reason for their decision.

The Chinese government has hailed its village election scheme as a move towards democracy, but correspondents say the ruling Communist Party is still unwilling to concede any political power to its opponents.