A NASTY smear campaign linking the Labour Party to paedophiles has started again in Worcester, with people in the city calling it "deplorable".

In recent days these stickers have been found on lampposts along Worcester riverside, on various traffic light buttons and even on a postbox near The Cross.

The stickers are the same ones which former British National Party activist Carl Mason claimed to have printed off and given to family and friends last year, which led to him being questioned by police.

Yesterday, Mr Mason distanced himself from it by saying he had "no idea" who was putting them up.

But Worcester City Council has hit out at the stickers, calling it illegal flyposting and saying officers will fine anyone caught doing it.

Worcester News:

West Mercia Police has also been informed, with the city's Labour branch calling it "a divisive attempt to pollute the electoral system".

The stickers appear to have been put up to coincide with May's local elections, exactly the same as last year.

One member of the public in Worcester, who did not want to be named, said they were using the letterbox at The Cross and were "appalled" to see one.

He said: "I was posting Easter cards to my godchildren and was really shocked to see this kind of thing in public, it's clearly unsubstantiated rubbish and I peeled it off."

Councillor Adrian Gregson, the Labour leader of the city council, said: "We encountered this last year, it's an appalling, divisive attempt to pollute the electoral system.

"We'll not stand for discrimination, hatred or racism in this city - I hope the police take it up seriously."

Worcester News: Labour Paedo Party Sticker.

A spokesman for the council added: "This is flyposting and if anyone is caught, they will be issued with a fixed penalty notice.

"If our officers see any of these stickers, they will be removing them immediately."

Some have gone from the riverside after they were spotted by students and dog walkers.

Mr Mason, 51, has now left the BNP and runs his own small right-wing faction called British Resistance.

Yesterday, he said: "I haven't got a clue who put them up but if I did know, I wouldn't tell you.

"I printed loads of them off last year and gave them to family and friends, but what other people do with them is their business."

Last night Superintendent Kevin Purcell, from West Mercia Police, said: "These stickers are in poor taste.

"Fly-posting is a criminal offence and we will support any prosecution of the individual or individuals responsible."