Tory MP Nicholas Soames is locked in a battle with the British National Party after it used his grandfather Winston Churchill's face on a leaflet promoting the group.

Mr Soames, 61, said he was taking “all possible steps” to stop the right wing party using the wartime PM's image on a leaflet entitled “This Britain is Yours!”

But the BNP has reacted to the MP's comments by saying he can “sing and dance” all he likes but it would not be removing Churchill's image from its campaign.

The leaflet, handed out to people all over the UK, states: “Millions of our ancestors gave their lives to ensure you have the freedom to enjoy.”

It then states in capital letters “YOUR COUNTRY, YOUR LAND, YOUR HOME”, before continuing “Do not betray their sacrifice!”.

Mr Soames, the MP for Mid Sussex, said he was disgusted at the use of his grandfather's photo in the BNP's so-called Battle For Britain election campaign.

He said: "I am outraged and appalled by the use of the picture by the BNP.

"They have no right to use my grandfather's name, who would have thought them a vile bunch.

"I am taking what steps I can and so is my family to see what can be done to prevent the name being used.

"I deplore the BNP action. It is a disgrace and I hope that anyone who looks at the adverts will find them repulsive."

But Simon Darby, the deputy leader of the BNP, said: "Mr Soames can sing and dance all he likes, we will not be removing Winston Churchill from our campaign.

"If Winston was around today he would be deemed a racist. He had some very strong views on immigration and if he was here today and had a choice of voting Tory or BNP I think he'd vote for us.

"I think he would be ashamed of the Tory party and would not be very happy with what has happened to this country.

"He would have more in common with the BNP than with the Tories, that's for sure."