Winchester'S Labour prospective parliamentary candidate has defended his long holiday in North America and Australasia.

The Conservatives seized upon Stephen Wyeth's three-month sabbatical as evidence that Labour is not taking Winchester seriously, especially as an election is expected as soon as next May.

They claim its national leaders would be happy to see Liberal Democrat MP Mark Oaten retain the seat.

Now Mr Wyeth has e-mailed the Daily Echo from an undisclosed address in New Zealand.

He wrote: "I was amused to learn that Andrew Hayes has issued a press release claiming my temporary absence is evidence of collusion with the Liberal Democrats! Did the Daily Echo really publish this nonsense?

"Perhaps someone should point out to Andrew Hayes, and anyone else trying to make political capital out of my trip abroad, that during the last six weeks alone I have visited four different nations, learning about issues that effect the daily lives of people across a broad spectrum of cultures and backgrounds - not to mention observing their initiatives on matters such as transport and environment.

"In particular, I had the good fortune to be in the USA during the presidential debates and have been able to follow the campaign first hand. I am currently in New Zealand which, as you are no doubt aware, presently has a Labour administration. Shortly, I shall be visiting the small town of Winchester in the South Island and hope to meet some of the officials there.

"In the meantime, I consider that the experience gained during this trip can only be beneficial to someone who intends to represent their community and that the broadening of an individual's mind in this way must be for the greater good."

Mr Wyeth said he will be back in about eight weeks.

Mr Oaten has denied there is a national or local pact with Labour.