LABOUR has accused the Tories of a dirty tricks campaign in Blackpool in the approach to the general election.

Conservatives are trying to deceive local news media by ghost-writing letters on behalf of Tory supporters in the resort, claims Labour.

With six months to go to the election, the incident is a pointer to how fiercely the two marginal Blackpool seats will be contested.

Copies of a letter-writing form for would-be Conservative correspondents have been leaked to Blackpool South Labour Party.

Tory supporters are asked if they would prefer a draft letter to copy in their own handwriting, a typed letter for them to sign and post, or bullet point facts to include in a letter to the local press.

They are then asked to tick their special subject of interest - from defence to the welfare state - and give a brief summary of their views.

They are also asked for their normal form of signature.

The form says: "During the run-up to the election it is vital that the views of Conservative supporters and the policies of the party are reflected adequately in the correspondence columns of newspapers.

"This requires co-ordination so that the appropriate person writes on the appropriate topic at the appropriate time."

Councillor Eddie Collet, Labour's campaign co-ordinator in Blackpool South, said the Conservatives were trying to deceive the local press.

"The fact they are offering to write letters for their own supporters to sign and then send in to newspapers, shows how worried they are about losing the seat to Labour in the general election."

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