An Oxford pensioner has found herself in the middle of a General Election row - after posing for a photograph with her local MP.

Floating voter Dereen Ayris claims the Liberal Democrats used the photo in election campaign literature without her permission.

Miss Ayris, 63, was photographed with Oxford West and Abingdon MP Dr Evan Harris last year after contacting him about difficulties she was experiencing as a council tenant.

She agreed to have her photo taken with the MP but claims she did not consent to the picture being used in campaign material.

Dr Harris and his election team insist Miss Ayris did give consent for the photograph to be used in all publications.

Now, following the row, they could lose Miss Ayris's vote to the Lib Dems' main constituency rival, Tory Parliamentary candidate Ed Matts.

The pensioner first spotted the photo in the local Liberal Democrat newsletter. Then she discovered that the picture was also being used in General Election leaflets posted through 40,000 letter boxes.

Miss Ayris, of Whitworth Place, Canal Street, said: "I would like the leaflet to be taken off the streets because the photograph has been used in it without my permission.

"I am fuming about that because it is infringing my civil liberties. I phoned the Lib Dems to complain and Dr Harris came straight round to see me about the leaflets. He promised me that he would try to get some of them back."

Miss Ayris is not identified in the leaflet and is not described as a Liberal Democrat. Under the heading Fair Deal For Pensioners, Dr Harris is pictured with Miss Ayris.

The caption says: "Dr Evan Harris with a local pensioner. Dr Harris presented 30,000 Fair Deal for Pensioners petition forms to 11 Downing Street last year."

Miss Ayris said: "I was having trouble with the council about my garden, so I thought I would contact my MP. He was very helpful. The Liberal Democrats could lose my vote over this. Mr Matts has been to visit me."

Mr Matts said: "She was upset about her photo being on the leaflet and now I am hoping she will have her photo taken with me."

Liberal Democrat constituency agent Victoria Marsom said Miss Ayris did give permission. She added that the 40,000 leaflets could not be recalled but the photograph would not be used for future party publications.