THE Defence Minister descended on Stockton South to show his support for James Wharton as he continues his fight to retain his seat.

With 332 votes his winning margin in 2010, the Conservative candidate was out leafleting Hartburn and the Fairfield area of Stockton this morning (Wednesday, April 8) with Michael Fallon adding to his armoury.

The former Darlington MP, who now represents Sevenoaks in Kent, was on the campaign trail in marginal Stockton South, Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland as well as Berwick during a whistle-stop tour.

He said: “Today, I’m here to support James in Stockton South and Will (Goodhand) in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland because we believe we can win these seats. When I was the MP in Darlington we had three Conservative MPs in the area and that is our target in this election.

“There is no reason why we can’t have a Conservative MP in Stockton South, Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, and in my former constituency in Darlington.”

Mr Fallon met with local activists to before setting off delivering campaign material and to speak to residents.

“The work James has carried out in the area speaks for itself – there are 1,200 fewer people out of work thanks to his hard work in the last five years.”

Earlier in the day Mr Fallon was at Typhoon International Limited in Dormanstown, near Redcar for a tour of the factory with prospective Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland candidate Will Goodhand.

He said: “It was great to have the Defence Minister coming to have a look around the factory which produces specialist dry suits, some of which are made for the Ministry of Defence.

“It was good to be able to speak to the staff and see for ourselves the handmade suits being sewn together and pressure tested.

“Hopefully, I will be able to invite him back in a few years’ time to see how the company has grown and expanded.”

The minister finished off his visit to the region at Berwick Harbour Commission, where he met candidate Anne-Marie Trevelyan before having a tour of the barracks and walls of the border town.