ELECTION mayhem came to the streets of Horwich today as Shadow Home Secretary Ann Widdecombe toured the town.

The Tory-big hitter, in town to back the party's Bolton West candidate James Stevens, was interupted by Labour supporters wearing William Hague masks and waving placards with slogans such as 'Britain Needs Blair.'

Miss Widdecombe described the protest as "silly and immature."

Traffic in Church Street was held up by the media scrum as camera crews and photographers jostled for position.

Mrs Widdecombe went on to Lea Gate, Bradshaw, where she discussed security with shopkeepers.

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