A TORY general election candidate has hijacked his Liberal Democrat opponent's name to divert Internet users to his own website.

Conservative George Hollingbery has been accused of a "dirty tricks campaign" after he pulled the stunt to get his message across to constituents in Winchester.

Furious Lib Dem Mark Oaten described Mr Hollingbery's actions as a "grave error of judgement".

But Mr Hollingbery said it was simply creative thinking and blamed Mr Oaten for failing to register his own name.

Anyone typing in www.markoaten.co.uk goes straight to the Tory candidate's page.

Speaking at the launch of his election campaign, Mr Oaten, whose correct website address is www.markoaten.com, said: "I would like my name back. I hope they cancel the trick as soon as possible. It is pretty pathetic.

"It is a pretty silly dirty trick. It shows a lack of confidence that people will visit their own site.

"We hoped to keep this a clean campaign. I'm disappointed the Conservatives have taken my name and registered it. It is a grave error of judgement.

"It's irritating people."

Mr Hollingbery said: "I'm not fighting dirty, this is just creative thinking for a general election. He should have registered his name.

"If Mr Oaten failed to register his own names on the Web, then really that's his problem.

"My job is to get as many people to read my message as possible. There is no subterfuge.

"The sites divert straight to my website.

"It's not like anyone's pretending to be something they aren't."

Mr Oaten launched his bid for Westminster yesterday at the Lib Dems' campaign headquarters in a former butcher's shop in Jewry Street.

He proposed to fight on his record as an MP and on local issues such as the growing threat to the Royal Hampshire County Hospital, alcohol-fuelled crime and housing development.

In rural areas he is concerned about the loss of shops and post offices and speeding.

Mr Oaten said he respected Mr Hollingbery, a city councillor for The Alresfords, and said he would be a stronger candidate than previous opponents, Gerry Malone, John Browne or Andrew Hayes.

Mr Oaten's majority is 9,634 on a turnout of 72.7 per cent.

Other candidates standing in the Winchester constituency are Labour's Patrick Davies, UKIP's David Abbott and independent Arthur Pendragon.