POLITICAL heavyweight John Prescott took a whistlestop tour around Weymouth as part of Labour’s South Coast re-election campaign.

The former deputy Prime Minister began his trek around the town at the Tourist Information Centre before walking through Weymouth’s streets to the harbour.

He was in town to back South Dorset MP Jim Knight’s re-election campaign and to urge local people to exercise their right to vote on May 6.

Speaking to the Echo shortly after breakfast at the town’s Prince Regent Hotel, Mr Prescott described Mr Knight as a “great MP and a great minister” who deserves another term in office.

Mr Prescott said: “What I came here to tell people is that they’ve really got to vote.

“Don’t stay at home and moan about not getting the government you want if you don’t go out and vote.

“What’s amazing about Weymouth is that the election turnout has always remained above 60 per cent and that’s what we’re still reinforcing to people: ‘turn out, turn out.’ “Jim is a great MP and a great minister.

“You can really see the difference when you go to constituencies where the MP only turns up when it’s time for re-election.

“Jim’s not like that.

“Nationally speaking, it’s a tough election – there’s no denying that.

“People have got to choose between Cameron and Brown and Clegg and we welcome that leadership debate.”