JEREMY Corbyn paid a visit to supporters in Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon as part of a tour of marginal seats.

The Labour leader stopped by the Hallmark Hotel to address a group of around 100 supporters who had to be selected by lottery, such was the demand for seats. A large crowd gathered outside during the talk.

Afterwards, Mr Corbyn was driven to West Cliff Green where he greeted and posed for photographs with a similarly-sized crowd, before meeting more of the public down in Pier Approach.

His visit was a stop-off between visiting a marginal seat in Southampton and an appearance at the Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival, near Bere Regis, tomorrow.

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Labour saw substantial gains in Dorset during the election in June, although the county remains a Conservative stronghold.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, Mr Corbyn said he believed the "culture" of the Bournemouth was changing in such a way that Labour would continue making gains.

"I think Bournemouth is changing as a place, I have been coming to Bournemouth for years for conferences and so on," he said.

"The university attracts lots of students to live in Bournemouth and they enjoy their time here and many stay on.

"The culture of the town has changed a lot. I think Labour are in tune with the vibrancy of the place."

In the aftermath of the election, newly-elected Tory Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood said he believed "knee-jerk promises" by Labour to students on fees were behind the party's local jump in support.

Mr Ellwood's Labour rival in the seat, Mel Semple, disputed this at the time, and Mr Corbyn claimed the party's national message had won support from a broad range of society.

"It has been a combination of our message on education and social care, addressing the social care issue and the problem of properly funding our schools.

"Things have changed, the election showed we put on three million votes across the whole country, the biggest increase in any election since 1945.

"As far as I am concerned we are going everywhere in the country."

There was support for this view among those who turned out today for a chance to meet the leader.

India Farrow, 33, of Bournemouth, said: "He is a realistic alternative to our really appalling current system. And a legend.

"It is really nice that he has come here to a Tory seat, it is a shame there wasn't a big outdoor speech but not every day is Glastonbury."

Thomas Crewe, 28, from Poole, said: "I feel there has been a big shift, and I would like to think the election result will make people who didn't vote think it could make a difference if they did.

"I love that he is still campaigning hard. He doesn't seem to have any security showing trust for people, which will be reciprocated."

Jeff Smith, 48, from Bournemouth, said he had initially had doubts about Mr Corbyn's leadership, but he had been convinced by the election result.

"I would have said two months ago that Labour would never win in Bournemouth, but now it is a slight possibility."

Mr Corbyn goes on to Tolpuddle tomorrow.

He told the Echo: "I was taken to Tolpuddle as a child by my mum and my dad and they explained the history of it to me.

"My brother was looking at the geography of Chesil Beach at the time and we had an uncle who lived in Bere Regis.

"I think the history of that beautiful village and what went on there and its significance for Britain and the whole world is something we should learn from."