CAMPAIGNERS are outraged that a lads' magazine glamorising fast cars could put up a candidate for election in Dorset.

The magazine Max Power is stepping into the political arena and the South Dorset constituency may become its first battle ground.

The move comes after South Dorset MP Jim Knight slammed the publication in the House of Commons for being 'irresponsible' and encouraging drivers to break speed limits.

Max Power's move into politics has angered people fighting for tighter speed controls and heavier penalties for drivers who cause road accidents.

Michael Dowdney, whose 18-year-old son Tom died in a car crash on the Weymouth to Bridport coast road, believes promoting fast driving is 'insulting' to families of road death victims.

He said: "It is ridiculous and there is absolutely no need for this.

"I would be totally against voting for this party and anyone standing in opposition to this would get my vote.

"But that said, our poor Tom was killed when the car was going at about 40mph, so I believe anybody, even in an 850cc Fiat Uno, is still capable of killing people outright.

"It is down to the individual how they decide to drive."

Mr Knight criticised the car magazines as part of a campaign for heavier sentences on drivers who kill.

The crusade came after deaths of Antony Wakelin in Wool, Tom Dowdney and Claire Clements from Preston.

Rita Taylor, regional spokesperson for Road Peace - a charity which supports road crash victims - said: "I'm absolutely appalled that people should be so irresponsible as to promote fast driving in this way that can endanger lives. I should hope people have more sense than to vote for a party like this."

Bosses at Max Power are now set to publish their own manifesto and put forward staff writer Daniel Anslow for election.

South Dorset MP Jim Knight said he would welcome the challenge of standing against a Max Power candidate in order to highlight the problem of dangerous driving.

Editor-in-chief of Max Power John Sootheran said: "What Jim Knight said shows ignorance about the scene.

"Our magazine tells it like it is and lets our readers decide.

"We are pro-young drivers and actually promote an advanced driving scheme."

He added that Dorset is on a shortlist of areas where Mr Anslow will stand.