DEPUTY Prime Minister John Prescott visited the North-East yesterday.

The trip was part of Labour's Big Conversation project, designed to ensure the party is in touch with the electorate.

Mr Prescott took part in two events on Tyneside, based around the theme of skills and the economy.

In the morning, he met workers at the Swan Hunter shipyard, in Wallsend, North Tyneside, then spoke to members of the Unison trade union in a meeting at the Civic Centre, in Gateshead.