Conservative Party leader William Hague was today making a flying visit to a Sussex resort.

Mr Hague was due to arrive in Hastings by helicopter at about 11am.

His itinerary included a trip to the Old Town where he was scheduled to address a gathering of fishermen at the Mermaid restaurant.

After that he was expected to board his battlebus for a tour of the town, finishing at The Oval shortly after midday.

The visit was part of a whirlwind tour of Britain by Mr Hague in the run-up to Thursday's general election.

June 5, 2001