Naked pictures of a council election candidate have been posted on a website promoting male escorts, as a "mischievous joke".

Dave Walsh, Green Party candidate for North Portslade in the Brighton and Hove City Council elections says he is the victim of an elaborate prank.

A profile featuring pictures of Mr Walsh was posted on www.sleepyboy.com, a website featuring adverts for male escorts.

The profile offers £50 for an hour with Dave, who is described as “slim and smooth”.

It says he is free any time over Easter.

Mr Walsh emphasised that he has never worked as a male escort and that the web page is a practical joke by a friend.

He said: “The pictures are taken from my computer. My mate put them up as a joke. We’re always doing things like that to each other.

“He probably didn’t realise how sensitive things are, with me being a candidate.

“I know people wouldn’t be happy about this.”

Mr Walsh said he had asked his friend to take down the web page and last night it was no longer viewable.

The prank has come to light exactly a week before voters go to the polls in Brighton and Hove City Council’s elections.

Mr Walsh hopes to capture the seat of either Labour’s Bob Carden or the Conservative Trevor Alford, who currently represent the ward.

The 44-year-old, who lives in Hove, runs the Green Party’s national LGBT website.

His election profile says he is motivated by his belief in social fairness and sustainability and was behind the successful idea that low-emission cars pay 50% less for residents’ parking permits.

Mr Walsh stood in Central Hove in 2007, coming fifth overall with 420 votes.

A spokesman for the Green Party said: “Dave was the victim of a mischievous joke and has the full backing of the party. The fake online profile has been removed.”