Conservative candidate Ed Matts has defended his Oxford links and his commitment to the city after the Liberal Democrats highlighted his Somerset connections.

Mr Matts, 38, who is standing for the Conservatives in the Oxford West and Abingdon constituency, is the main rival of Dr Evan Harris.

In the latest Lib Dem newsletter, Mr Matts is described as a "Conservative from Somerset who already represents the Conservative Party on Mendip Council".

Neil Fawcett, a Lib Dem constituency spokesman, added: "We know Ed Matts studied at Oxford but apart from that, he doesn't appear to have had much experience of the constituency in recent years."

Mr Matts said he had kept his home after his wife, Angela, died from cancer last year, so that his three children could stay at the same school.

He added: "Evan isn't a parent so perhaps he doesn't understand some of the worries and difficulties parents face. I have an office in Oxford for my business, and for the past 18 months I have been campaigning hard on local issues."

Mr Fawcett insisted the Lib Dems were not getting "personal", and said he had "every sympathy" with Mr Matts's family circumstances.

Yesterday, Dr Harris, 35, also an Oxford graduate, was canvassing for votes in Abingdon while Mr Matts was joined by David Willetts, Shadow Secretary of State for Social Security at the town's farmers' market.