A CUMBRIA MP fears an impending by-election led Downing Street officials to block a petition presentation at Number 10 today.

Labour's Sue Hayman told the Commons she had a time slot booked to hand over the petition about health services with one of her Workington constituents.

But Ms Hayman added that she was told to return after Thursday - the date when a by-election in neighbouring Copeland takes place.

The Conservatives are hoping to make a rare gain for a governing party by snatching the seat from Labour, amid plans to downgrade key services at West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven.

Raising a point of order in the Commons, Ms Hayman said: "I have been down to Downing Street today along with a constituent who travelled all the way from West Cumbria, to hand in a petition.

"Unfortunately, we were turned away at the gates.

"I was told that I would not be allowed to go down to Downing Street to hand in this petition that was properly booked in through the proper procedures.

"We were offered a time to hand in a petition about health services. They understood what the petition was about.

"When I asked a security officer from Number 10 Downing Street why I was not allowed to hand the petition in as agreed, he told me that today was not a good day.

"When I pressed him on this, he told me I could hand it in after Thursday.

"I am concerned that I have been prevented from handing in a petition that was properly booked in through the procedures because of a by-election, and that this has been politicised."

Commons Speaker John Bercow said it is not a matter for him to deal with, adding he understood her concerns.

He added: "It is very much a matter for ministers with whom it has been registered."