Ed Balls visits Sherwood on the campaign trail with Leonie Mathers

How many kids and Labour politicians can you get in a combined harvester, lots as it happens, when Ed Balls and Labour's Sherwood candidate, Lionie Mathers joins youngsters on one of the attractions at the White Post Farm centre on Tuesday.

Joined by Labour’s candidate for Sherwood, Leonie Mathers, he visited the White Post Farm Centre, where he met with the owners to talk about tourism in North Nottinghamshire, before meeting with parents to discuss Labour’s childcare pledges.

Mr Balls threw his weight behind the candidate, saying Labour was looking forward to the next four weeks of campaigning.

He said Labour candidate for Sherwood Leonie Mathers, would be a “tenacious fighter for working people” in the part of the world she was born and grew up in.

“These days you need someone who will be there all the time working hard and fighting hard and that’s the kind of MP Leonie will be she won’t be a stayaway MP.”

Mr Balls said tourism was a vital part of the Nottinghamshire economy: “I grew up in Nottingham 35 years ago.

“Back then we had the castle and Newstead Abbey but I don’t think people had realised the potential for tourism in Nottinghamshire.

“The pull of Robin Hood and clearly Center Parcs has made a big difference.

“This farm is packed today and flourishing, Rufford Park is doing really well.

“When we talk about industrial policy and making sure you get the right regulation and skills and plan for the future you need that kind of industrial approach of getting the best jobs from tourism just like you do from manufacturing.”

On Labour’s childcare plans he added: “There are lots of parents here who are struggling to make sure their kids are safe during the holidays and they can balance work and family life.

“We are going to provide 10 hours extra free child care to parents and the Tories won’t.”