KENT became a political hotbed as Gordon Brown and David Cameron visited the county on the same day.

The Chancellor was the first to arrive shortly after 11am on Wednesday with a visit to The Observatory in Swanscombe, near Dartford, to see how work in the Ebbsfleet Valley and in particular Eastern Quarry is progressing.

Taking in the breathtaking views Mr Brown said his party's aim was to build new communities which take into account the needs of existing residents.

He said: "We want to use the resources that we have to build sustainable communities."

Just a few hours later Conservative leader David Cameron arrived in Wilmington to launch the party's local election campaign.

Vote Blue Go Green is the message behind the party's drive to create cleaner and safer environments.

Mr Cameron said: "The mission of the modern Conservative party is to improve the quality of life for everyone and local councils have a leading role to play in doing just that."

* For the full interviews see next week's Dartford Messenger.