TORBAY MP Adrian Sanders has apologised to an 86-year-old woman who had to pay postage when the Lib Dems wrote asking for election donations — without putting a stamp on their letter.

The elderly Torquay woman, who wants to remain anonymous, received a Royal Mail postcard saying a letter had been sent without the required stamps.

She was told to pay £1.30 but was unable to get to the mail depot.

Family friends eventually picked up the letter only to find it was a fundraising request from Mr Sanders.

Doug Furze, a friend of the Watcombe woman, said: "She wanted to get the letter because she thought it might be important, but she couldn't even go out to get it.

"I had to go down to the mail office a few times because it was closed.

"The letter turned out to be a donations request asking for between £10 and £50 — and they didn't even enclose a stamped envelope.

"They shouldn't be asking a pensioner for money, let alone asking her to pay for their postage as well. What a cheek.

"I suppose it's funny — but to be blunt, it's just wrong what they did."

Mr Sanders was apologetic, but he said that 'sadly, these things happen when you send out lots of letters'.

He added: "Stamps do fall off. It wouldn't have been done on purpose. We want to win elections, not lose them.

"We will send the lady a letter of apology and a book of stamps.

"I would advise anyone who gets a red card asking them to pay postage to not do it. If the person wants to contact you badly enough, they will."