LABOUR Party parliamentary candidate Pete Lowe had a helping hand while out canvassing in Stourbridge this morning (Wednesday).

Campaigning West Bromwich East MP Tom Watson pitched in to help Councillor Lowe, a borough councillor for Lye and Stourbridge North, to deliver leaflets and speak to voters around the New Farm Estate.

Mr Watson, who helped to lift the lid on the newspaper hacking scandal, said he helped Councillor Lowe, leader of Dudley Council, in the last local election and that he has been travelling around the country lending a hand to Labour candidates fighting key seats.

He added: "Pete is unique because he conducts his campaign in his own way. You can tell just how well liked he is within his own community because people come out to talk with him.

"There's too many of what I call professional candidates who don't do the work when they get to Westminster. You know that won't happen with Pete because he's a local person who will fight for local people.

"I know he has a large majority that he needs to turn around, but I believe he can pull it off - and if he does, it will be through his force of character and personality.

"It doesn't matter that he's the council leader, although it certainly helps his profile, but it's a different role being an MP. It's all about what he's going to do at Westminster.

"People need to look beyond the national message and look at the candidate instead. With Pete, you know he's on their side."

Councillor Lowe is doing battle against Conservative Margot James, UKIP's James Carver, Lib Dem Chris Bramall and Green Party candidate Christian Kiever.