Tory campaign portraying town as a ghetto - Labour

Mr Howard was accused by Health Secretary John Reid of portraying Hartlepool as a ghetto town, following comments he made during a visit yesterday.

The pair clashed on a day when all three political parties rolled out their big hitters in a bid to swing the September 30 by-election their way.

Mr Howard was on a whirlwind visit to the town's Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, where he shook hands with would-be voters and spoke to shop staff.

He also endorsed Tory candidate Jeremy Middleton, describing him as an excellent candidate who would do a very good job.

Mr Howard said: "Tony Blair has let the people of Hartlepool down on health and education and, perhaps most of all, on crime.

"The people of Hartlepool are twice as likely to be victims of burglary than anywhere else and the truancy rate here is twice as high as the national average.

"It is the Conservatives who have the answers to these problems and will provide the best solution."

Mr Reid, who was accompanying Labour election candidate Iain Wright, said: "One of the disappointing things about this election is that the Conservatives are conducting their campaign in a way that does not do justice to Hartlepool or its people."

Mr Wright said: "We really resent Michael Howard coming here running the town down."

Mr Reid said that the Teesside area had 230 more police officers than when Labour came to power in 1997.

Burglaries had also fallen from more than 200 a month to fewer than 70.

The Health Secretary met healthcare staff at the Hartlepool and District Hospice.

Earlier, he had reassured University Hospital of Hartlepool staff that it had a long-term future with the fullest range of services.

It had previously been said to be under threat following a review of services.

Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy was also in Hartlepool. He and LibDem candidate Jody Dunn took part in a question and answer session with students at the Manor College of Technology.