HARRIET Harman said the NHS is centre stage in Labour’s by-election campaign during a visit to Clacton’s West Cliff Theatre.

The deputy Labour leader visited the town to campaign alongside the party’s election candidate Tim Young.

She toured the theatre, in Tower Road, where Mr Young’s father Reg and uncle Bob still perform as part of popular local double act the Young Brothers.

“Labour is putting the NHS centre stage in this campaign,” said Mrs Harman. “Tim is a solid supporter of the health service. People already have enough trouble trying to get a GP appointment here.”

Mrs Harman said Labour had a strong campaign and was dealing with “issues that matter” to people in Clacton, such as health, standards of living, fuel bills and train services.

She also called for more support for the town’s West Cliff Theatre from the Arts Council and Tendring Council. The West Cliff is currently funded by ticket sales alone.

Mr Young said: “My dad was treading the boards in Clacton for 60 years or more with my uncle Bob. He must have been on this stage and the Princes Theatre more than 100 times.”