ELECTION anger has again erupted in Winchester with a dispute over figures for MRSA infections at the city's hospital.

A letter to voters from Tory leader Michael Howard wrongly states there have been 198 cases of MRSA in the Winchester and Eastleigh NHS Healthcare Trust.

In fact there have only been 11 cases.

The new row follows controversy last week over Tory candidate George Hollingbery's hijacking of Lib Dem rival Mark Oaten's Internet name.

Trust chief executive Chris Evennett has written to Mr Howard refuting the figures and the implication that the Royal Hampshire County Hospital (RHCH) is dirty.

In fact the RHCH has won national awards for its cleanliness.

A hospital source, said: "People are already scared stiff about MRSA - this letter from the Tories just makes things worse. I can't believe the nerve of Michael Howard to stir up fear especially when he has got the numbers so wrong. How could he turn 11 cases into nearly 200?

"Staff are gobsmacked about the mistake and we want people to know our hospital is clean and our MRSA figures are some of the best in the country. I'm sure he's lost a few votes here."

The Conservatives have come under fire for the same mistake in other parts of the country.

Mr Howard said: "We sent out a letter and it referred to the MRSA rates in the local hospital trust, when it should have referred to the local hospital trusts. That was a mistake and I'm very sorry we made that mistake."

Mr Hollingbery said: "I can do nothing other than apologise for the clear error that referred to trust rather than trusts when quoting numbers of infections. This was a centrally produced leaflet over which I had no control and never saw before it was sent out."

Opponents were quick to capitalise on the gaffe.

Labour candidate Patrick Davies said: "They are denigrating the NHS and causing distress to patients. It is outrageous they have produced figures without checking them."

David Abbott, UKIP candidate, said: "You have to wonder whether you can trust the Tories. On the one hand you have George Hollingbery with his tricky website, now this."

Arthur Pendragon, Independent, said; "It is inconceivable that a party as big as the Tories can make mistake after mistake. It is scaremongering."

Mr Oaten was unavailable for comment.