SHADOW Home Secretary Ann Widdecombe delivered an uncompromising message on yob culture when she hit the campaign trail in Horwich.

The Tory big-hitter raised the case of retired firefighter Ken Arrowsmith, 56, who died of a heart attack after being taunted by a mob of youths.

Her presence in Horwich yesterday led to bizarre scenes as she was surrounded by Labour supporters wearing William Hague masks and waving placards saying 'Britain Needs Blair' and 'Blair Beats The Blues'.

If there was any doubt that Bolton West is going to be a high profile battle it was rapidly dispelled as the scrum of TV camera crews and photographers brought chaos to Church Street and Winter Hey Lane as Miss Widdecombe met shoppers.

The Shadow Home Secretary, though, was unamused by her unorthodox welcome party.

She said: "If that's the level of debate the Labour Party are going to engage in in Bolton West then we have won this campaign before we start. It's immature. No wonder they are hiding behind masks."

She claimed the Tories would be tougher on law and order than Labour and cited plans to deal more sternly with young offenders.

"We want to give courts extra powers to deal with 12 to 15-year-olds, which would have had a bearing on the Ken Arrowsmith case. If they learn that nothing happens to them, by the time they are 18 they will be well on the road to Her Majesty's Prison," Miss Widdecombe said.

Under Conservative plans, she said, the number of training places for young offenders would be increased tenfold and they would not be released before they end of their sentences unless they met strict targets.

She claimed the Tories, whose candidate James Stevens is up against sitting MP Ruth Kelly in Bolton West and Liberal Democrat Barbara Ronson, would increase the number of bobbies on the beat.

But Labour pounced on Mr Stevens's past admission that he had experimented with cannabis and suggesting Miss Widdecombe's unequivocal anti-drugs stance was out of touch.

Gaffe

Ms Kelly said: "For her to campaign for a candidate who has been so critical of her is an extraordinary gaffe and again highlights how divided the Tories really are."

Mr Stevens responded: "I did experiment when I was an impressionable teenager. I haven't and wouldn't condone drug use of any sort and I have never said that."

The Shadow Home Secretary said Mr Stevens's admission was irrelevant.

"I've been caught speeding. Does that mean I'm against all speeding laws? Let's be rational."

Miss Widdecombe then moved on to a lower key reception in Lea Gate, Bradshaw, where she met Joan Berry who was landed with a £3,500 bill when her shop was robbed last month. The shop owner said: "I'm not taking a political stand, I am just concerned about law and order. Something has to be done."