Tony Blair will step up the pace of Labour's campaigning today, as he unveils the party's new ''pledge'' card for the forthcoming general election ahead of the party conference in Newcastle.

The Prime Minister will announce the six key pledges - one more than Labour made in the 1997 and 2001 campaigns - at a series of stops on the way to the party's spring conference in Gateshead.

The first commitment on the card - on the economy - will be unveiled by Mr Blair and Chancellor Gordon Brown at a ''signing ceremony'' in London.

It is expected to include guarantees on the national minimum wage and help for first-time home buyers, as well as maintaining economic stability.

Mr Blair will then join other ministers - including Home Secretary Charles Clarke, Health Secretary John Reid and Education Secretary Ruth Kelly - at a series of similar events across the country to announce the rest of the pledges.

The completed card will be unveiled by Mr Blair and Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott in Gateshead.

After the bitter accusations of recent weeks over negative campaigning by former No 10 communications chief Alastair Campbell, Labour officials insist they intend to mount a positive campaign.

The Tories have accused Mr Campbell of masterminding a ''dirty tricks'' campaign following rows over Labour's so-called ''Fagin'' and flying pigs posters and its use of the Freedom of Information Act to dig up details about the Conservatives when they were in power.

A Labour spokesman said: ''Elections are about the future, not just our record or our opponents' record.

''We intend to fight a positive upbeat campaign focused on our promises for the future in areas people really care about.''

With the election widely expected to be called for May 5, Mr Blair - appearing last night on Channel 4's Richard and Judy show - admitted that the political world was gripped by ''pre-election fever''.

But he insisted that he wanted to concentrate on positive policies.

''The most important thing which we will be doing tomorrow is trying to set out the positive things we can do for people,'' he said.

Labour's campaign co-ordinator Alan Milburn has said the spring conference would make good on their promise of an ''interactive'' campaign, encouraging contributions from the public in order to combat political apathy and drive up voter turn out.

Voters will be able to register on Labour's internet website to receive details of the pledges as soon as they are launched.

During the conference, ministers, including Mr Blair, will take questions sent in by email, text message and telephone.

And Cabinet members - although probably not Mr Blair - will cold-call people from Labour's Gosforth call centre to discuss their interests and concerns.