A Tory heavyweight helped launch a prospective candidate's campaign to get elected, saying the Conservatives could do with more politicians like him.

MP Grant Shapps, co-chairman of the Conservatives, joined Sutton and Cheam prospective parliamentary candidate Paul Scully in Sutton yesterday to meet local people and find out more about the area.

The pair visited Sutton Court Road-based IT firm Netwise Hosting, the owners of which have been recognised for entrepreneurship, and Sutton College of Learning for Adults (SCOLA) during the morning visit.

Mr Scully was selected to stand for Sutton and Cheam Conservatives at the end of last year.

Mr Shapps said: "From a national point of view, we're chuffed that Sutton and Cheam have chosen Paul Scully. We've got exactly the kind of real world local campaigner we need. If we can select all our candidates as well as we've done here we would do very well.

"What I've discovered is that Paul knows the area and he seems to know everyone - everywhere you go people are saying 'Hi Paul' as they pass.

"My view of politics is that no-one cares. What people are interested in is what can be done for their community and we've got someone here who will put the politics to bed and represent local people."