Liberal Democrats in Shropshire were today criticised after using photog-raphs of county firefighters in election leaflets sent to thousands of homes.

Shropshire Fire & Rescue Service said today the images on the campaign leaflets delivered to 40,000 homes in south Shropshire and Shrewsbury had been used without its approval.

Today the political party said the leaflet, which was delivered to promote Liz Lynne, a candidate for the European election on Thursday, would not be used.

Miss Lynne, currently an MEP, said: “I’m furious that this went out without seeking prior permission from those featured in the photograph. It’s unforgivable that this photograph should be used without consent.”

Paul Raymond, deputy chief fire officer, was one of the officers shown in the photograph.

He said: “We were disappointed the image was used as we are a non-political organisation. The image was used in quite a major way. It looked like a fire service leaflet.”

Charles West, from Shropshire Liberal Democrats, said: “The photo was taken in March as part of a campaign to get exemption for retained firefighters from the European Working Time Directive. Express permission was not sought for using the image again.

“The fire service did not withdraw permission which was given the first time the image was used.”