SOAP star Liz Dawn hit the Hartlepool by-election campaign trail yesterday to back Labour candidate Iain Wright.

The actress, who plays Vera Duckworth in Coronation Street, became the second TV personality to support Mr Wright, following an endorsement from Emmerdale vicar John Middleton.

Ms Dawn, whose character has worked at The Rovers Return and Roy's Rolls, joined Mr Wright at the bar of the Central pub and then at the Cosy Cafe.

The Labour supporter mixed with regulars in the pub and signed dozens of photographs - and even one young girl's coat - as locals turned out to meet her.

In forthright fashion, she said: ''I have always voted Labour and after what the Tories did, I cannot imagine people voting owt else.

''I am sure Iain will get in and he is a local lad, so people should support him.''

After he was given a signed picture, Mr Wright said: ''Our lass will be over the moon with this."

The other candidates in the by-election are Edward Abrams (English Democrats), Stephen Allison (UK Independence Party), Philip Berriman (Independent), John Bloom (Respect), Ronnie Carroll (Independent), Jody Dunn (Liberal Democrat), Paul Watson (Fathers 4 Justice), Christopher Herriot (Socialist Labour Party), Alan Hope (Monster Raving Loony Party), Jeremy Middleton (Conservative), Richard Rod-gers (The Common Good), Iris Ryder (Green Party) and James Starkey (National Front).