The police have been called in after an election candidate reported a poster war had broken out in a key marginal parliamentary seat.

The Tories in the Lewes constituency have reported to police that huge hoardings they put up have been stolen and one was left blazing.

Jeanette Allen, election agent for Conservative candidate Simon Sinnatt, said: "There's a lot at stake in this election.

"You've heard the saying, set the campaign alight, well someone certainly did."

The Conservatives launched a highly-visible poster campaign after losing the seat by 1,300 votes in 1997 to the Liberal Democrat candidate Norman Baker.

Two other candidates are also contesting the seat including Paul Richards for Labour and John Harvey for the UK Independence Party.

Mrs Allen, who has been in the political arena for 25 years, is not pointing the finger but believes the acts of vandalism may be carried out by people who oppose the Tories.

She started her career in Scotland and said: "I started in red socialist Scotland where, when you are a blue, you have to be a braveheart but I never came across this sort of thing."

Labour candidate Paul Richards said his party had not experienced any problems with the disappearance of posters, adding: "We're keen to see as many posters up from all parties as it reminds people there's an election and the bigger the turnout the better for everyone."

Liberal Democrat candidate Norman Baker said: "We've lost posters in Seaford, Wivelsfield but we think it's late night drinkers, we don't think it's deliberate."

May 25, 2001