AN ELECTION candidate has tried to get 'ahead' of his rivals - by pasting his face on the body of another politician.

The Labour Party claims that Alan Vernon has faked a picture of him 'meeting' Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown.

The picture in the Liberal Democrat's 'Focus' newsletter shows Mr Vernon - a candidate in Priory ward in Sale - shaking hands with the party's national leader. But the original picture is actually of Liberal Democrat MP Mark Oaten being welcomed to Parliament by Mr Ashdown after winning the Winchester seat.

It appears Mr Vernon's head has been 'pasted' onto Mr Oaten's body.

Alongside the fake photo are the slogans 'We're proud to be Liberals' and 'The Liberal Democrats are a great party of conscience and reform'.

Barbara Keeley-Huggett, Labour candidate for Priory ward, says of the photograph: "I think it is a very dangerous development in election literature. People need to know that a photo is a true representation of the people in it."

Cllr David Acton, leader of both the council and the Labour group, says: "This is obviously misleading the public to believe he has been meeting Paddy Ashdown outside Parliament when that is not the case.

"It appears to me to be quite dishonest. Pictures should not be doctored."

Mr Vernon, of Lawrence Road, Flixton - who is a former Flixton councillor - has declined to comment about the picture. Mr Vernon, who works in sports merchandising, is vice chairman of North Trafford Police and Community Consultative Group.

Liberal Democrat deputy leader Cllr Brenda Ackroyd says: "I can't comment because I have not seen it."

Tory group leader Cllr Frank Eadie comments: "If this is true, it is a piece of crass stupidity that only the Liberal Democrats could get up to."

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.