THEY say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery - but a fake Twitter account pretending to be Taunton council's leader has left him feeling far from flattered.

A Twitter account pretending to be cllr John Williams under the handle 'Johnwil47768095' was created earlier this month, and seemed genuine enough as the account proceeded to retweet posts from the new Somerset West and Taunton Council.

The account has gained a few followers, including the official Taunton Conservative twitter handle, as well as a number of other Tory councillors, including Mark Edwards and David Fothergill.

But suspicion grew when the account started to post confusing, yet somewhat sassy, statements and photos.

One post included an edited photo of the Conservatives in Taunton holding doctored signs stating insults such as 'hopeless cause' and 'no new ideas'.

But the leader of the former Taunton Deane Borough Council has confirmed he doesn't use Twitter, and has shamed the perpetrator for their 'juvenile' attempts to mimic him.

He said: "I don't go near Twitter.

"It's absolutely banal.

"It's mind blowing that anyone should stoop so low.

"It's a juvenile misrepresentation of me."

Mr Williams is standing in the upcoming election on May 2 in the Hatch and Blackdown ward for the new Somerset West and Taunton Council.

He is set to stand against Liberal Democrat candidate Ross Henley and Labour candidate Colin Croad.

Mr Henley has been interacting with the fake Mr Williams on Twitter, seemingly falling for the political prank.

Taunton Deane Conservatives, which does follows the supposed Mr Williams on Twitter, has posted to confirm the account is indeed a fake.