PRIME Minister Gordon Brown made a sudden visit to Blackburn as the 2010 election campaign was stepped up.

The region is a clear target for all political parties with many of the constituencies seen as being up for grabs.

Earlier this year Tory leader David Cameron visited the Lancashire Telegraph to outline his views on the area.

And today it was Mr Brown's turn to make the case for Labour.

Speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph, Mr Brown said he understood the issues facing East Lancashire.

He said: "I have visited Blackburn in the past with Jack Straw and I know very well the challenges that the town faces.

"(The deprivation statistics) shows there is more to do in towns like Blackburn.

"There is no doubt that this area is dealing with deprivation on a serious level and we are going to put in resources to help the poorest people.

"We are planning to put more money into schemes to help communities where there have been problems of deprivation.

"There will be more money announced because we want to make sure that residents have more powers to deal with anti-social and real problem families.

"For problem families we are introducing intervention programmes and a tough no-nonsense approach.

"We are going to be helping pensioners over the winter months with the fuel allowance."

Mr Brown, who also visited the BBC Radio Lancashire studio for a phone-in, spoke about community cohesion concerns in East Lancashire.

He said: "We want to see community relations improve and we have to find ways of bringing the community together.

"We have got to work at community relations.

"There are a lot of very good people in Blackburn who have made many very good steps forward.

"Jack Straw has highlighted to me that more work needs to be done in bringing people together."