Television star Ross Kemp visits Sunderland to back Labour candidate's General Election 2019 bid

The documentary maker and former EastEnders soap opera actor visited an armed forces veterans’ centre before touring the city centre alongside Sunderland Central Labour candidate Julie Elliott.

He also found time to chat to party supporters as well as shoppers who asked him to pose with them for photographs.

Mr Kemp, who supported Mrs Elliott’s successful bid to be re-elected during the 2017 election, said: “I have met Julie before and I know about her record as an MP in Westminster. She is a local person who knows and cares passionately for Sunderland.”

Mr Kemp, whose television documentaries include Ross Kemp in Afghanistan, in which he filmed the work of British troops, was in the region to support a number of North-East Labour candidates ahead of the Thursday, December 12, election.His visit to the city started with a tour of the new Veterans in Crisis Sunderland Emergency Rendezous (ERV) centre, in Roker Avenue, which provides temporary accommodation for former servicemen and women if they have been referred by official organisations. He said: “They do tremendous work and I would urge local people in Sunderland to get behind what they do and support them if they can.” Mrs Elliott, who is defending a 9,997 majority next week, said: “It is great to have him here and for him to find time to visit the veterans and see the great work done on their behalf.“It is a big boost for the campaign with the General Election so near.”Asked about the mood of constituents while she was on the campaign trail, Mrs Elliott said: “No-one wants a December election, that is clear.“It is also clear that there is a huge amount of frustration that things are not getting done for issues which need sorting such as the NHS and education. Only a Labour government will protect and improve these services.”

The other candidates contesting the Sunderland Central seat are Tom D’Silva (Conservatives), Niall Hodson (Liberal Democrats), Rachel Sarah Featherstone (Green Party), Dale McKenzie (Independent) and Viral Parikh (Brexit Party).