THE Tories have rolled out the first of their big guns as part of their bid to win back Clacton in May’s General Election.

The Conservatives lost the Clacton seat in October’s by-election after the party’s MP Douglas Carswell switched to UKIP.

Transport minister Patrick McLoughlin joined Conservative candidate Giles Watling today to see the start of works to improve substandard roads in Jaywick, which is officially the most deprived ward in the country. 

Mr McLoughlin said by-elections are a “time for protest” and that he believed the Conservatives could win back Clacton.

Mr Watling showed the minister where Tendring Council is currently undertaking £84,500 of repair works to the entrances to six crumbling roads in the Brooklands area.

"Jaywick is the most deprived place in the country, but we can do so much here," said Mr Watling. “We have got road improvements here for the first time in years."

Essex County Council has also announced plans to spent £5million upgrading 45 roads in the ward.

For the full story see Thursday’s Clacton Gazette.