A TORY council candidate has come under fire on social media for misspelling the name of the town she has represented for four years on an election leaflet.

Lisa Allen hopes to retain her St Oswalds ward in Oswaldtwistle on Hyndburn Council on May 2.

Despite living in the town all her life, her first election leaflet tells voters she is ‘Working for Oswaldtwsitle, Knuzden and Belthorn all year round’.

The leaflet has provoked much comment on Facebook including a reproduction with the words ‘Tories can’t even spell Oswaldtwistle’ plastered across it.

In a second spelling error, the flyer refers to ‘Holding the oppostion to account.’ while the flyer includes other spelling, grammar and punctuation errors.

One user said: “I’m shocked that this has gone out. It’s embarrassing.”

Another posted: “Did she not notice it when she was delivering them to hundreds of doors."

Mrs Allen said: “It’s just one of those things.

“It is a mistake and it's being rectified at the moment. The leaflet is being called back and reprinted.

“We’re only human and mistakes happen.

“It was a typo and the leaflet was obviously not properly proof-read before it was approved.

“I have had so much abuse about on social media but I have not replied to any of it. There are more important things happening in Hyndburn and the world.

“I have worked hard for the ward for four years and what is important is not the spelling of Oswaldtwistle in a leaflet but making it a better place for its residents.”

Her Labour opponent Chris Knight said: “I think there are more important things to worry about than typos.

“But I would like to think that our leaflets are properly spelt and grammatically correct.”

Oswaldtwistle’s Conservative county councillor Cllr Peter Britcliffe said: “Oh my goodness! Mistakes are not uncommon on election leaflets. Printers do seem to have difficulty with the spelling of Oswaldtwistle.”

Hyndburn council’s Labour leader Miles Parkinson, also up for election, said: “It’s one of those unfortunate things which happen in leaflets.

“Oswaldtwistle is particularly difficult name for printers to spell. It’s just a typo. Clearly the leaflet has not been properly proof-read. It’s happened to us all.”

UKIP candidate Janet Brown said: “We’ve all made mistakes. I don’t think it matters what she puts on her leaflets, it's what she does for the town and its people which does.”

Cllr Tony Dobson said: “I support Lisa’s comment and would like to thank the council leader for his understanding.

“Unfortunately these things happen and the leaflet has been recalled and is being reprinted.”