ELECTION candidates in Pendle have started a war of words over accusations of dirty tricks in a campaign leaflet.

And Labour MP Gordon Prentice has accused his Liberal Democrat opponent of 'staging a phoney photograph' for the leaflets, which he now wants withdrawn.

The picture shows Shazad Anwar sitting next to a bookcase with a book on his knee talking to three young children who all appear to be wearing similar blue sweatshirts.

Mr Prentice claims the jumpers all bear the logo of Barnoldswick's Coates Lane Primary School but only one of the youngsters is a pupil there.

But Mr Anwar has branded Mr Prentice's complaint 'trivial and insignificant'.

Mr Prentice said: "The photo, with books propped up on the shelves with covers displayed, clearly gives the impression it was taken in the school library, but it is a blatant misrepresentation.

"I am certain the headteacher, Sue Holloway, does not want the school dragged into controversy.

"I want Shazad Anwar to explain why he did this.

"Who are the other children and why are they wearing Coates Lane tops?

"Where was the photograph taken? Was it his intention deliberately to mislead? Has he ever visited the school?

"The caption calls for more investment in early years education, but there is a real irony here.

"I opened a new extension and outdoor classroom at Coates Lane Primary in September. This was a £200,000 project."

Mr Prentice has delivered a letter to Mr Anwar's campaign office asking him to stop distributing the leaflets.

Mr Anwar refused to be drawn on whether the picture was set up to give the impression of being in a school, but did insist that no reference to a specific school is made in the leaflets.

He added: "I'm not going to stoop to his level.

"The children used in that photo were there with their parents and had the parents' consent.

"The clothes are their own. Nowhere do we make reference to a specific school.

"It is a genuine photo taken by my press officer.

"Mr Prentice has clearly lost his way on this issue, rather than discuss the issues he wants to talk about sweatshirts and drag individual young children into a dirty tricks campaign."

Coates Lane School headteacher Sue Holloway confirmed one of the youngsters which feature in the picture attended the school.

In a statement she said: "The school has not been involved in the production of any electoral promotional material and does not endorse any political candidates or parties."