An independent councillor was reported to legal services for failing to abide by pre-election social media guidelines.

Karen Dickson, a member of Chalfont St Peter Parish Council, was reported to the head of legal services at Chiltern District Council for flouting advice on social media use from the Electoral Commission.

Cllr Dickson, one of two independent members of the council who is seeking re-election next week, was hauled up for posting an image of a ballot paper on Facebook.

Guidelines on social media use were reissued following the complaint, with no further action being taken against Cllr Dickson.

She posted the ballot paper on the Facebook page 'CSP - People matter, not politics'.

After being reported to the authorities, Cllr Dickson wrote on the social media site: "As a parish councillor, I insist on transparency, and post under my full name when I am saying anything that can even vaguely be construed as being controversial."

Cllr Dickson was this week unavailable for further comment.

Chiltern District Council spokesman Rachel Prance said: "The Electoral Commission provides advice on the use of social media during the pre-election period. That advice is that if a candidate wishes to show electors which candidates are standing for election then it is appropriate to use the statement of persons nominated which is available on the Council website, but not to replicate the actual ballot paper.

"Following a report that a copy of the ballot paper for the forthcoming parish election in Chalfont St Peter had been copied and posted onto a Facebook page we can confirm that we provided that advice to all interested parties."