ANGRY Labour councillor Richard Body has hit out at Margot James, who hopes to retain her Stourbridge and Cradley seat in the General Election, after she used his picture to promote her own election campaign.

Cllr Body, who is standing for re-election next month to Dudley Council in the Cradley and Wollescote ward, was left speechless when he saw his picture being used to support the Conservatives in Ms James's election leaflets delivered around Cradley.

He was snapped with the Tory politician, who has been Stourbridge's MP since 2010, at a litter pick organised by Cradley Action Group.

He said: "She's been using us to promote what she is doing. Never at anytime did she have permission to use my picture. And if she had taken the trouble to ask, I'd have said no."

Mr Body said the Friends of Homer Hill Park have also been left "fuming" after an image of them appeared in a Tory leaflet.

He added: "It looks as though they are endorsing her, when they don't."

Val Bloomer, secretary to the Friends, said: "I feel really embarrassed by this, as it was me who invited Margot along in the first place.

"We are not a political group and I didn't realise our pictures were going to be used in an election leaflet. It's put me in a very awkward position."

Cllr Body has written to Dudley's returning officer Sarah Norman but said: "She is unable to do anything and has suggested I take the issue up with Margot James.

"But as the leaflets have already been distributed, there's nothing I can do. It's all very underhanded."

Ms James said: "In my election literature I try to represent a broad spectrum of the work I carried out as MP for Stourbridge.

"I illustrate my leaflets with pictures that reflect some of that work and I have always asked people if they object to being in such pictures and respect their wishes if they do not want to be included."