CONSERVATIVE Party leader David Cameron swept into Basingstoke to champion the local Tory group's charge for control of Basingstoke and Deane at the borough elections.

In the week that the starting gun was fired for the local elections on May 4, Mr Cameron visited the town to issue a rallying cry to his party's candidates, who will be vying for thousands of votes.

Flanked by two of the area's Conservative MPs - Basingstoke's Maria Miller and North West Hampshire's Sir George Young - Mr Cameron visited The Ark Conference Centre at Basingstoke hospital yesterday to boost his party's local election campaign and to meet some of the Tory candidates.

A group of pensioners and representatives from local organisations for the elderly also got the chance to quiz the Opposition leader as Mr Cameron met them for an informal chat.

In his first official visit to the town as party leader, Mr Cameron said that he had a long-standing connection to the area, with several of his relatives living near Basingstoke.

He told The Gazette that he had faith in the local Conservative campaign and believed the party - which is seeking to gain control of the council for the first time in 11 years - could make a big difference to life in the borough.

Mr Cameron (pictured) said: "I know it is an important race in Basingstoke. I think the Conservatives are in with a good chance in Basingstoke, especially after electing Maria with the big impact she is having.

"I think there is a lot we can do if we win here. I know Basingstoke well and it is a lovely area to live in - my sister and brother-in-law live near Basingstoke. A Conservative-controlled council after May 4 will make it an even better place to live."

First published: Thursday, April 6, 2006