Prime Minister Rishi Sunak rolled into County Durham this morning (Saturday, June 8) whilst out on the campaign trail. 

Mr Sunak visited the walled garden at Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland, to speak with gardeners and volunteers as he tried to drum up support ahead of the general election on July 4. 

At the garden, Mr Sunak spoke with volunteers Margaret Lambert and Hilary Bellwood, who encouraged him to apply for an allotment garden.

(Image: Sarah Caldecott)

He also watered plants with Jane MacBean, Conservative candidate for Bishop Auckland, who's hoping to take over the mantle from former Tory MP Dehenna Davison. 

Excitement mounted in the town after or members of the public spotted the bright blue Conservative battle bus. 

Crowds gathered on the hillside, above the garden to try and catch a glimpse of the Prime Minister within. 

(Image: Sarah Caldecott)

Mr Sunak is still under pressure after leaving D-Day memorial services early on Thursday. 

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Cabinet ministers have criticised this move, and in Catterick, veterans and residents yesterday told the Northern Echo they thought Mr Sunak's actions were "disgusting". 

The Prime Minister made a “mistake” by skipping a major D-Day memorial event,  Transport Secretary Mark Harper said, with the debacle continuing to dominate as campaigning entered its third weekend.

Mr Harper said he agreed “with what the Prime Minister himself said – it was a mistake for him to leave early”, but did not go as far as fellow senior Tory Penny Mordaunt in branding the decision “completely wrong”.

Mr Sunak appeared to be avoiding speaking to the national media on today’s campaign trail, with an opportunity for reporters to ask questions in Bishop Auckland not taking place as was originally planned.

(Image: Sarah Caldecott)M