HE MADE political history by being one of the "gang of four" who founded the Social Democratic Party.

But Lord Bill Rodgers was flying Liberal Democrat colours when he swept into Eastleigh to support the party's local candidate, Chris Huhne.

Lord Rodgers joined Mr Huhne as he shopped for votes on a walkabout in the town's market.

And Lord Rodgers was surprised by one local resident who said she had written an A-level text on the gang of four.

The famous politician replied: "I am not sure whether I am ready to be living history just yet."

Lord Rodgers said: "Chris is an excellent candidate who would make an outstanding member of parliament of Eastleigh.

"In this area Labour cannot win and it is a straight fight between Chris and Michael Howard's Conserv-ative candidate.

"Britain cannot afford to go back to the Conservative days of boom and bust when so many businesses went under."

Lord Rodgers added: "Chris will fight for a fair deal for Eastleigh on health funding and on schools where Hampshire has above average class sizes."

Other candidates fighting Eastleigh are Conor Burns, Conservative; Chris Murphy, UKIP; and Chris Watts, Labour.