THE Royal Mail has confirmed that no action is to be taken against postman Jimmy Eaton after he appeared on the front of a Conservative Party newsletter wearing his uniform.

Jimmy - a Conservative councillor in Rossendale - faced disciplinary action after his bosses were tipped off about the publication.

But Jimmy, a dedicated fundraiser in the Valley, said he was unaware that his picture had been used on the newsletter and wanted to forget about the embarrassing episode.

Conservative Party's prospective parliamentary candidate Nigel Adams blasted Rossendale MP Janet Anderson for making a complaint to Royal Mail.

He said: "It was a dirty trick to play. Janet and Jimmy have been friends for a long time. You couldn't sink lower than purposely trying to get him into trouble with his employers. I felt sorry for Jimmy, he's done nothingwrong.

"As soon as we were made aware of the situation we stopped them from being printed as only a handful had already been printed and we changed the picture."

Mrs Anderson branded the action "irresponsible" and accused the Tory party of using Coun Eaton to make political gains.

Jimmy, a Greensclough ward councillor said: "It's been put to bed now. I just want to forget about the whole thing and get on with my normal duties."

A Royal Mail spokesman said: "No action will be taken. The picture on the newsletter has been changed and we are satisfied with that."