Yesterday Norfolk county council candidate Deborah Gihawi claimed she was left 'shaken up' when a dog bit her hand as she posted a leaflet through a Norwich letter box.

But today it has been revealed that Mrs Gihawi was in fact bitten by an eight-month-old kitten.

The independent candidate for Mile Cross, who is standing in next week's County Council elections, had to visit her GP after she was bitten, believing her wounds had been inflicted by a dog.

But the owner of the house, who doesn't want to be named, said the only animal they have at home is a small kitten.

'We have never had an issue like this before with the postman or any of the junk mail we get through the letter box,' he said. 'We have apologised to the woman, put a cage on the back of the letter box and clipped its claws.

MORE: Election campaigner 'shaken up' after being bitten by dog while canvassing in Norwich'If you are going to dangle something, a kitten is going to try and play with it,' he continued.

The former Labour councillor had said she could see the animal's white paws.

'I thought it was a little dog because it was very energetic but kittens are like that,' she said. 'Its teeth did go into my hand and my hand did bleed profusely.

'Myself and the owners have spoken and we are on friendly terms. They are lovely people and things like this just happen sometimes.'

Mrs Gihawi will be standing against Alex Jackson-Dennis (Conservative), David Rowell (UKIP), Chrissie Rumsby (Labour), Lisa Shaw (Green) and Magda Siwiec (Lib Dem) in the vote next week.

Have you got an election campaign story to tell us? Email jessica.long@archant.co.uk