LABOUR say they will cherish services such as Sure Start children centres if they are elected back into Government.

Nick Bent kicked off his campaign for election as MP for Warrington South with defence minister Bob Ainsworth at Westy SureStart centre 24 hours after Prime Minister Gordon Brown called the election for May 6.

And they started the Labour campaign by singing the praises of the child and parenting scheme.

Mr Ainsworth said: “We are very proud of these Sure Start centres that serve Warrington.

“There are 12 centres here and we cherish schemes like this – the Tories would put an end to that.

“Our idea is to protect services like this compared to raising the threshold on inheritance tax.”

The defence minister’s visit highlighted the importance the constituency will play in the battle for 10 Downing Street with the seat being marked as one of the key battlegrounds between Labour and Conservatives.

And that was acknowledged by Mr Ainsworth.

“Warrington is very important to us, we want to hold this seat.

“The people of Warrington South have really got to think about the change they face.

“Do they want a Government who has legislated to get us through the recession and working for the whole of society, not just the privileged few?

“Seats like this will determine the colour of the Government and the future of the country,” he said.

His sentiments were seconded by the parliamentary candidate Mr Bent.

He added: “People are very aware they’re not just picking an MP for Warrington but the future of the country.

“Most people I speak to are staying with Labour – they do not trust the Conservatives and Lib Dems to run the country.”

The defence minister also spoke out to urge more licensed premises to take up Warrington’s example of accepting Armed Forces ID cards as proof of age when soldiers try to buy drinks in bars.

He said: “I would ask people to use common sense for people serving their country. They do not want special treatment, they just want respect.”