Canadian man changes his name to 'Above Znoneofthe' to stand in a local election

The man wants to reach people 'who don't normally vote'

The Canadian man has vowed to keep the name if he wins (REX Features)

A Canadian man standing for election has legally changed his name to “Above Znoneofthe”.

The man, formerly known as Sheldon Bergson, from Thornhill in Ontario, is - nominally at least - running to be a local councillor in a by-election in the Whitby-Oshawa district.

He has spent $137 (£69) registering his new name.

He will now appear at the bottom of the ballot as “Znoneofthe, Above”.

The 46-year-old told CBC News he wanted to give an option to people who were fed up with mainstream politicians.

The aspiring politician, who has also run under his original name for the National Party and as an independent in the past, said: "I'm aiming for all of the people who don't normally vote.

"I thought, one of these days we should get 'none of the above' on a ballot".

The married father says he will keep his new name permanently if he wins the by-election - but his friends and family would continue to call him Sheldon.