A South Gloucestershire Councillor has spoken out over the ‘shocking experience’ of being assaulted on the doorstep only a week before he seeks re-election.

70-year-old Brian Hopkinson, had been delivering leaflets in Stoke Lodge when he was attacked, being pushed violently against a wall and strangled.

Cllr Hopkinson is currently the councillor for Bradley Stoke Central.

“I had to pass a narrow gap between a lorry and two cars to deliver the leaflet and had been walking away when the front door opened," Cllr Hopkinson said.

"A man came out waving the leaflet at me quite aggressively and so I offered to take it back if he didn’t want it.

“Not content, he told me I couldn’t have it back and shouted at me. I apologised for causing any offence, but he didn’t calm down.

“Next thing I knew he rushed towards me, pushing me against the wall and wrapped his hand around my throat, digging his fingers right in.

"Someone else ran out of the door and said he should stop and he loosened his grip for a second, but then gripped tight again.

“I managed to break free and back off away from the property, at which point he shouted at me, threatening to kill me.”

“The whole thing lasted barely a minute but left me really shaken. I haven’t had such a shocking experience in my 14 years in local politics,” added Cllr Hopkinson, who reported the incident to the police.

Cllr Hopkinson is standing in the newly formed Charlton and Cribbs Ward, having stood on South Gloucestershire Council for the past 14 years and had been delivering leaflets in Stoke Lodge on behalf of his partner Cllr Sarah Pomfret.

During his time on the Council, Cllr Hopkinson has been directly involved with Stoke Lodge and the Common breaking away from Patchway Town Council to form a new Parish Council, which has saved residents £100 a year.

Cllr Hopkinson said that despite the incident, his resolve to campaign for his community hasn’t changed: “I won’t let people like that push me around and prevent me from campaigning. I will still be out delivering leaflets and speaking to people on their doorsteps. All I want to do is help make a positive difference to residents, it is a shame that the political climate in our country at the moment could lead to hostility.”