CONSERVATIVE Prime Minister David Cameron stepped on to the pitch at Warrington Town's Cantilever Park on his third visit to the town this year today, Monday.

The PM was in high spirits as he made his way through the crowd of Conservative party supporters before addressing them with a rallying speech just 17 days ahead of the General Election.

Joined by Conservative candidate for Warrington South David Mowat he pledged to improve the state of grassroots opportunities for the younger generation and insisted plans to build two new bridges in the town are 'on track'.

But before beginning his speech at the home of the Yellows, where club chairman Toby Macormac presented him with a club shirt, he was keen to mention his support for Aston Villa, following the side's FA Cup semi-final victory over Liverpool yesterday.

"It is great to be here in Warrington and great to be on a football pitch - I am a Villa fan," he joked.

But moments after, he highlighted the importance of Mr Mowat in the constituency and hailed the candidate for 'being part of a team bringing economic transformation'.

He added: "The economy last year grew faster than anywhere in the western world - families can see a secure future.

"We show a very strong record and plan for the future."

The PM also promised to 'encourage' the Premier League to do more to help lower league clubs in the football pyramid.

"We can encourage the Premier League to keep their promises - they are getting phenomenal amounts of money from these games so I hope they will be able to do even more than talked about," he said.

"What we can do as a Government is to keep using the National Lottery fund and Sport England with all the extra money meant for coaches and grassroots sport for small football clubs.

"It is about getting kids involved in the game - my son plays for his local village - that is all based on extra money coming out of Sport England and the lottery."

He also vowed to provide more support to schools to create more opportunities and chances for pupils.

"What we have done for kids in sport is introduced the Sport Premium for schools which is a guaranteed £150 million a year guaranteed all the way through the next Parliament," he said.

"That gives every primary school the ability to have a PE teacher or sports teacher for say two and a half days a week - that really has made a difference and I think that matters.

"I think the School Games is making a big difference - more and more schools have got investment and the lottery funding is making a difference at club level."

Mr Cameron warned residents of voting in a Labour Government and highlighted three main threats to his views, including the Scottish National Party's (SNP) potential impact on Labour.

"Labour and the SNP will put an end to improving the economy," he said.

"There would be an appalling hiatus at part of Government and Government could come to a halt.

"The vital work improving transport, bridges, electrification of railways and free schools will come to and end."

Another key issue Mr Cameron was keen to address concerned the plans to build two new crossings in the town.

The first is set to be located from Slutchers Lane to Chester Road and the second is a high-level crossing over the Manchester Ship Canal.

He praised Mr Mowat for his efforts to get the development plans in place and had a reassuring message for Warrington residents.

"You have had a fantastic MP here - what politicians are meant to do is build bridges and this man has got the Government to build two bridges, how about that," he said.

"The crossings are on track- the timetable set out will be stuck too."

Mr Mowat confirmed plans for the first bridge 'will start in 2016'.