A Tory Parliamentary candidate could face the axe following what she has branded a "smear campaign" of sex slurs against her.

Sue Catling, 45, who fought for the Calder Valley seat in 2001's General Election, has hit back at allegations which she claims were started by a handful of troublemakers.

The rumours about Mrs Catling's private life and a possible loss of confidence in her as a candidate have led to the calling of a special meeting of the Calder Valley Conservative Association on Friday, February 7, at the Ripponden Conservative Club.

Members will be asked to vote on whether she should remain to fight the Calder Valley seat.

"There has been a very hurtful smear campaign running about me having numerous sexual relationships with various people in the party," claimed Mrs Catling, who is married with two sons and lives in Brighouse.

"These allegations are completely untrue and are becoming ever more fanciful and I intend to put up a robust denial at next month's meeting. My husband has been very supportive of me and is very unhappy that I have been subjected to these kinds of smears.

"This situation has arisen from a handful of agitators who want rid of me. But 17,150 ordinary electors from the Calder Valley voted for me during the last General Election, so the idea that I am not electable as the local MP is ridiculous."

The former actress, who came within 3,100 votes of ousting Labour MP Chris McCafferty two years ago, will be given the opportunity to address the meeting, which will be attended by a representative from Conser-vative Central Office.

Calder Valley Tory party chairman Barrie Henderson said: "Sue is a very good candidate who is on Central Office's list of top ten candidates in the country and she has my full support."

A Conservative Central Office spokesman said: "Sue Catling has our full support. She was an excellent candidate at the last election."