John "Two Jags" Prescott rolled into Keighley on the Prescott Xpress last week.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the DETR came to give a rousing speech and inspect Keighley and District Travel's new CCTV system.

Stepping from coach to microphone, Mr Prescott gave a campaign speech about the Labour government's achievements.

He ended by saying: "You don't get the best economic policy unless you invest in your people.

"This Labour government in four years has brought about that economic policy.

"We need Ann (Cryer) back in as the next Member of Parliament for Keighley."

After shaking a few hands, signing autographs and giving out Labour Party badges, Mr Prescott was shown Keighley's hi-tech bus cameras.

The system launched in January means every new bus is fitted with four cameras to monitor the inside and outside of the vehicle.

The equipment is the first in Yorkshire to have digital recording, which improves reproduction.

Mr Prescott, who has visited Keighley a number of times before, told the KN: "It's very, very worthwhile and it's reduced crime in a lot of cities.

"Originally everybody was very suspicious. Not today. More and more people are demanding we bring these measures in."

Keighley candidate Ann Cryer said Mr Prescott needed no persuasion to come to Keighley.

She added: "We didn't ask him, he just came. He has an interest in transport and buses and knew intimate details of what's going on here."

Graham Mitchell communications manager for K&DT said: "It was great to have recognition by a senior government minister of the very high level of technology we have invested into Keighley buses."

Security for Mr Prescott's visit was stepped up because of fears of protests from Countryside Alliance activists.

"We were all given very short notice of the visit for obvious reasons. We didn't want any eggs around," said Mrs Cryer.