THE Liberal Democrats have come under fire from dentists after an election guide issued by their head office advised candidates to give out sweets to children.

The Guide to Fighting and Winning Local Elections told candidates to act like the "Pied Piper" by handing out sweets to children on council estates to encourage them to deliver leaflets.

But local Liberal Democrat leaders say they will not follow the advice, or encourage anyone else to do so, in the run-up to the elections for Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council on May 4.

Councillor John Shaw, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the borough council, said: "I have never used children to deliver my leaflets. I have simply approached adults, and it may be that they go around with their children.

"Giving out sweets is not advice that I would give myself.

"I cannot speak for the author of the guide, but I would not ask children to deliver directly on my behalf."

The election guide provoked an outcry from the British Dental Health Foundation, which said politicians should encourage families to eat healthily.

Chief executive of the foundation Dr Nigel Carter said: "I am amazed that an established political party should deem it acceptable to bribe children with unhealthy, sugary sweets. Frequent consumption of sweets is a major cause of tooth decay.

"This charity is dedicated to improving oral health in the UK. It is a difficult enough task without having politicians going out onto the streets and undermining it by offering sweets as a reward for children."

First published: Thursday, April 20, 2006