THERE was a huge surprise in store for many Winyates residents on Sunday when a celebrity turned up on their doorsteps, out on the campaign trail with Redditch’s outgoing MP.

Comedian and multi-marathon runner Eddie Izzard came to Redditch to support Jacqui Smith's tough fight to be re-elected on May 6th.

Eddie met with local campaigners and residents.

Eddie said: "I’ve just run lots of marathons in a row and it was really tough at times. In Redditch it looks like Labour is going to face tough challenges to win, but in Jacqui Smith they have a gritty fighter to lead them.

“The event on Sunday was great. Everyone was up for the battle ahead as we try to stop the Conservatives bringing in cuts and halting the recovery. “Getting Labour's message across is crucial and that is what the event was about."

And on Monday, Estelle Morris also turned up in Redditch to join Ms Smith.

Baroness Morris will visited the Your Ideas Youth Project in Matchborough Centre where she saw for herself the work the scheme carries out with young people who, for one reason or another, don't thrive in a normal school environment.

She said: “As a former minister for education and a former minister for the arts I can see the great value of projects like Your Ideas. “Jacqui has always supported and spoken up for Redditch groups like this. I hope she gets the chance to carry on supporting their efforts.”

And Ms Smith added: “It was great to see Estelle. She is a real champion for the arts and education so this seemed the perfect place to take her.”