LABOUR and the Conservatives are wheeling out the big guns as the election battle in Hampshire hots up.

Peter Hain, secretary of state for Northern Ireland and Wales, was due to hit the streets of Southampton this afternoon to help boost Labour's campaign to seize power at the Civic Centre.

The deadlocked council has been run by Liberal Democrats for the past four years.

Tories will hit back tomorrow when party leader David Cameron will put on his cycling helmet for a short appearance in the Bassett area.

He will officially open a new Hampshire County Council cycle lane connecting the University of Southampton Science Park in Chilworth with the top of The Avenue.