LIBERAL Democrats in Horwich have criticised a UKIP council candidate for an inaccurate leaflet they say is a deliberate attempt to mislead voters.

Bob Horsefield, who is standing for Horwich Town Council in the Brazley Ward, has posted a leaflet to hundreds of homes outlining why people should vote for him.

It reads: “At the last election in Horwich, UKIP’s Bob Horsefield won 31 per cent of the vote, and beat the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives into third and fourth place respectively.

“The Liberal Democrats and Conservatives cannot win here. Only UKIP can beat Labour in the Brazley Ward.”

However, in the latest Horwich by-election for Church Ward in September, UKIP’s candidate Peter McGeehan came third with 96 votes with just 12.6 per cent of the vote.

Doug Bagnall, who is standing against Mr Horsefield for the town council for the Lib Dems, called on him to stop distributing the leaflet immediately.

The group has also reported the matter to the returning officer and police, as it may be in breach of electoral law.

Mr Bagnall said: “This goes far beyond normal political spin and seems to be a deliberate attempt to mislead voters.

“As the recent result in neighbouring Church Ward shows, only the Liberal Democrats are in a position to seriously challenge Labour here.”

Mr Horsefield said when he last stood for town council in Bridge Ward in June, he did receive 31 per cent of the vote.

He added: “If you change ‘At the last election in Horwich’ to ‘At his’ last election in Horwich’, then the sentence is correct.”

“It was never my intent to deceive anyone.”