LABOUR'S deputy leader has warned residents Warrington will 'get ignored' if the Tories win a 'Margaret Thatcher-style' majority at next month's General Election.

Tom Watson made his way to the town last Wednesday to join Warrington North parliamentary candidate Helen Jones on the campaign trail on streets around Poplars Avenue.

It follows party leader Jeremy Corbyn's visit to Great Sankey on April 22.

The 50-year-old West Bromwich East parliamentary candidate said he has no doubt Mrs Jones will be re-elected.

He said: "I am here for Helen – she is one of the great parliamentarians and is a very strong campaigner.

"She is a powerful voice for Warrington in Westminster.

"I know she can do it, she has a track record she can be proud of.

"We are not taking anything for granted – both Jeremy and I are campaigners so I think what we are going to see in this election is more activity from our frontbenchers.

"We like to get out and about and talk to voters.

"That is, of course, in stark contrast to the Conservative campaign, in which on the first day Theresa May took a helicopter to speak at a members-only meeting.

"Jeremy and I are a bit more earthy than that and want to get out and talk to real people.

"This election was unexpected but we just have to get stuck in.

"My campaign schedule is about two days ahead of me.

"Normally, I go into an election with an idea of what I am doing for the month but we are sort of planning on the road, which is quite exciting and slightly chaotic.

"The polls have been very tough for us at the start of the campaign but who knows where we will be at the end."

Mrs Thatcher enjoyed a 144-seat majority in 1983 but Mr Watson has highlighted his concerns over the possibility of similar success for the Tories on June 8.

"The reason Theresa May has called this election is not because of the national interest, it is in her party's interest, she thinks she can get a very big majority," he said.

"Have a look at the record of your local MP.

"Do people really want her to have a Margaret Thatcher-style majority in Parliament?

"We know what happens when they do that, places like Warrington get ignored.

"There is still a lot at stake so we need to get our heads down and campaign."

Mr Watson has also dismissed any possibility of launching a leadership bid if it proves to be a disastrous election for Labour.

He added: "There is no vacancy thank heavens and I am campaigning to get Jeremy into Number 10."