POLITICAL rivalry in the Meon Valley will spill over into the High Court amid claims that a dirty tricks campaign was used to sway voters before this year's local elections.

Solicitors have issued a libel writ on behalf of Independent Shedfield councillor Ashley Goodall and four of his colleagues.

They have taken legal action against members of Winchester Conservative Association over hundreds of "defamatory" campaign leaflets claiming that Independent city councillors had a pact with Liberal Democrats.

The row centres on the quiet rural ward of Shedfield, which takes in Shirrell Heath and Waltham Chase, where the controversial leaflets were hand-delivered to each home in the run-up to June's election.

Claims made to journalists that the two parties had entered into a secret agreement are also the subject of the action.

The Daily Echo has been handed a copy of the document, which states: "As a result of the said publication of the defamatory words complained of, the Claimants have suffered grave injury to their reputation and feelings."

The claimants are listed as Councillor Goodall, who successfully defended his Shedfield seat at the election, Cllr Jean Hammerton, Bishop's Waltham member and a former mayor, group leader and Bishop's Waltham member Cllr Colin Chamberlain, Cllr Paul Hoare for Shedfield and former mayor and Bishop's Waltham member Cllr Georgina Busher.

The defendants are Conservatives Sheena Nicholson and Roger Huxstep and Winchester Conservative Association itself.

If successful, the action will mean damages for libel and an injunction restraining the defendants from any further mention of their claims.

The Independent councillors and members of Winchester Conservative Association were remaining tight-lipped over the claim, which will be heard at the High Court on a date yet to be set.

Ian Hogg, spokesman for Winchester City Council, said: "As it's a dispute between two parties, we wouldn't get involved at all."