Oldham's council leader has called on the borough's Conservative party to distance itself from leaflets that have caused her "significant distress".

The leaflets have been handed out in South Chadderton, Arooj Shah's ward, discussing allegations made against her ahead of local elections in May.

The leaflets are understood to contain allegations about Cllr Shah's relationships with convicted criminals and her rise to council leader.

On Tuesday, March 22, the Oldham Conservative Party revealed on its Facebook page that Cllr Shah had emailed the group asking for them to distance themselves from the leaflet.

The Conservatives have said they are not connected to the leaflets being distributed.

Cllr Dave Arnott of the Conservatives said: "The Oldham and Saddleworth Conservative Federation has been contacted by Cllr Shah regarding this issue. 

"The Chairman has replied, clearly stating that the leaflet has nothing to do with the Conservatives, and suggesting that she should raise her concerns with the author."

In the Conservatives' Facebook post, it said the leaflets were "clearly not" produced by the party as there were no "imprint, logo or contact details of any candidate(s)".

The leaflets are understood to have been distributed in South Chadderton, Cllr Shah's ward, over the weekend and in the email she says they have caused her "significant distress".

Cllr Shah added the leaflets were "part of an ongoing campaign of harassment and hate" and aim to "create division based on race and religion".

In a statement made to The Oldham Times, Cllr Shah said: "The leaflet contains seven references to my race and religion before reminding voters that the ward has a majority white community.

"I know the community of South Chadderton well and believe this will backfire because ultimately, they are good people and want their elected members to focus on improving the area, not political fallouts and personal attacks.

"For my own part I want to say this: I am Oldham born and bred.

"I love our town and I have worked hard to play my part in making it better, even when at times all the odds feel stacked up against us I have never accepted Chadderton deserves to just accept that things can’t change.

"I have lived my life in public service and I have treated people fairly and with respect."

The author of the leaflet was contacted but declined to offer a comment.

Oldham will hold local elections on May 5 this year.