A political candidate has been rapped by the publishers of a children's comic for using the character of Dennis the Menace as part of its campaign.

General election candidate Sigrid Shreeve, who is standing for the No Spin party in the Oxford West and Abingdon constituency, used the image of Dennis the Menace to promote a Web site mock election. It was intended to show that more people would vote for Dennis than any of the mainstream parties.

For years, Dennis the Menace has been entertaining youngsters in the pages of the Beano comic.

Although supporters are not registering real votes, Ms Shreeve wants as many people as possible to take part to show the strength of opposition to mainstream politics.

The use of Dennis the Menace's image as an "electronic politician" prompted a warning e-mail from Beano brand manager Peter Clark.

Mr Clark, who works for DC Thomson, the Dundee-based publishers of the Beano, said: "I know it's a bit of a joke but we do not allow any of our copyright characters to be associated with party politics in any shape or form."

Ms Shreeve said she contacted DC Thomson to ask if the image of Dennis could be used on the website but the company refused.

She said: "I think they wanted to make sure that we didn't open the floodgates by using the image of Dennis the Menace. We have been dressing up in red and black stripes when we have been out campaigning but now we will have to try something else."

The other candidates in the Oxford West and Abingdon constituency are: Ed Matts (Con), Gill Kirk (Lab) Mike Woodin (Green), Marcus Watney (UK Independence Party), Dr Evan Harris (Lib Dem) and Robert Twigger (The Extinction Club).