Body Shop tycoon Anita Roddick, who backed Labour in the 1997 election, was today reported to be returning to the Lib Dems.

Ms Roddick became a "Blair Babe" at the last General Election and appeared in one of Labour's party political broadcasts.

But one national newspaper said today that the founder of the Littlehampton-based Body Shop had returned to the Lib Dem fold to campaign for its leader Charles Kennedy, although her precise role has still to be decided.

Ms Roddick backed the Lib Dems in 1992 but at the last election put her name behind Labour, together with a host of business and showbiz personalities.

Last year she announced she had left Labour because of her disappointment over its green policies and the party's stance on asylum seekers.

Now, according to reports, she is to be one of the Lib Dem stars after a high-level meeting of party bosses in London to finalise plans for the General Election, which Tony Blair is tipped to call for May 3.

Ms Roddick shot to fame and fortune after opening her first shop in Brighton more than 25 years ago.

She is currently in Central America visiting a series of Body Shop backed projects.

But today a spokeswoman for Ms Roddick said stories about her support for Mr Kennedy had been "planted" by the Lib Dems.

She added: "The report has come as a surprise to her because she is not officially supporting the Lib-Dems or any other party."

A Lib-Dem spokesman said: "She is a free agent and we would respect whatever she decides to do.

"There have been rumours that she might support us and if that did happen then we would naturally welcome her."