A row has erupted in Cheshire East after Conservative leaflets were posted to Labour councillors' home addresses.

Labour councillors say this could be interpreted as bullying and harassment.

The Conservatives are adamant they did not post them and are now investigating what they believe to be 'an opportunistic and malicious use of leaflets already hand delivered, to deliberately cause distress and anxiety to both Conservative and Labour councillors'.

Cheshire East, which is controlled by a Labour/Independent administration, is consulting on proposals to introduce charges for the telecare service for the over 85s.

At present the lifeline alarm service is free to anyone who is 85 and over and living alone, but this is currently being consulted on and could change.

The Conservatives have been door-to-door leafleting some homes in the borough about the council consultation.

Their leaflet, promoted by the Crewe & Nantwich Conservative Association, urges people to take part in the consultation and to 'axe the granny tax'.

But Labour councillors are furious the leaflets have been sent through the post to their home addresses – including one to a councillor whose husband had died just two days before.

The Tories are adamant they didn't post them.

Cllr Sally Handley (Lab, Crewe St Barnabas) told the Local Democracy Reporting Service several Labour councillors had received the leaflets in their home post.

"Then my post came along and I'd received one as well," she said.

"My address I keep redacted, so somebody's got my home address from somewhere and sent me this leaflet. It feels like an attempt at bullying and harassment, to get these things through the post."

She said one councillor, whose husband had just passed away, received one.

"Unfortunately she had opened it and was quite obviously upset about receiving that – the first post which had come through her door since her husband had died," said Cllr Handley.

"We're all for robust politics and debate, that's fine, but to get these, essentially anonymously, through the post feels a little bit threatening, especially when our addresses are redacted.

"If I've been sent that as a councillor, it should not be coming through my front door. That should go to my post box at Westfields [Cheshire East Sandbach HQ] where I get it forwarded on or I collect it when we're there."

She said she knew at least one Independent councillor had also received it through the post.

Cllr Janet Clowes, Conservative Group leader on Cheshire East Council, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "I can confirm that Crewe & Nantwich Conservatives have not posted any leaflets via Royal Mail to anyone during this campaign and do not condone the use of their campaign materials in this way.

"As they have not posted any leaflets they are unable to comment on the use of elected member addresses."

She added: "I do however deplore the personal and derogatory comments deliberately aimed by a small minority of Labour members at Cllr [Allen] Gage, who is named on the leaflet 'imprint', as is legally required.

"Attempts to link him with this activity are unfounded and we are seeking advice in this regard.

"All leaflets are accounted for and we believe this to be an opportunistic and malicious use of leaflets already hand delivered, to deliberately cause distress and anxiety to both Conservative and Labour councillors.

"I would like to thank Cllr [Jill] Rhodes (Lab) and Cllr Handley (Lab) for their support as we investigate this matter."