The Liberal Democrats face an investigation over irregularities in the way donations from a Finchingfield couple were handled.

Graham and Susan Tobbell donated £80,000 but the party left Mrs Tobbell’s name of the declaration to the Electoral Commission, according to an article in a national newspaper.

Graham Tobbell is the chairman of Finchingfield Parish Council but Susan Tobbell is a director of Malthurst, the country’s largest independent filling station empire.

There is no suggestion the couple have done anything wrong but the article in The Times suggested the Liberal Democrats left Mrs Tobbell’s name of the form because her job conflicted with their green policies.

The party plans to ban all petrol and diesel cars by 2040.

Electoral Commission rules state donations by couples should be declared in both names.

A Liberal Democrat spokesperson said: “We are very happy to correct the record and have contacted the Electoral Commission accordingly.

“The Liberal Democrats are proud to be associated with Graham and Susan Tobbell and apologise for any embarrassment caused to them by our error.”

The Tobbells could not be reached for comment because they were on holiday.