David Cameron was in town to launch the Tory manifesto for the local elections on May 1, visiting local businesses, shaking hands with residents, and almost kissing a baby or two.

Flanked by conservative parliamentary candidate Amber Rudd and Hastings Borough Council leader Peter Pragnell, the MP took a tour of Queens Arcade, where he spoke to the butcher and greengrocer, bought some strawberry bonbons for his children from Rainbows sweet shop, and sampled some local jellied eels from Arcade Fisheries.

Launching the manifesto in front of the Cricketer statue in the square at Priory Meadow, Mr Cameron said he was impressed by the work already done by the conservatives in Hastings.

In an interview with the Hastings Observer, Mr Cameron, 41, said: "I love Hastings, and it's a beautiful summers day. There has been lots of people coming to have a chat.

"It's a very competitive election ground and it will be a very exciting election."

Mr Cameron advised voters in Hastings to vote for anyone but the British National Party (BNP), and said: "They are the enemy of democracy. The BNP is just a despicable party."

But he urged people to give the conservative local council a chance to implement changes they had planned in this term of office. He said: "I want to see the Conservative Party recover in this part of the country.

"Seaside towns have an important role - they are part of our national culture. Seeing them succeed -their regeneration- is important."

Of national issues Mr Cameron said: "In Amber Rudd we've got a first class candidate. I've got a great commitment to the town, and so has Amber."

Meanwhile Cllr Pragnell denied the MP's visit was a publicity stunt, and said Mr Cameron was one of the most "open and honest" people he had ever met.

He said: "This was the leader coming to support the local council, helping to raise our profile.

"I think it's great that the next prime minister has come down to Hastings. It certainly can't hurt our campaign".