SUNSEEKERS enjoying the facilities at Redditch's Arrow Valley Countryside Centre did a double take yesterday afternoon when Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott rolled up for a whistle-stop visit.

Mr Prescott, who was visiting his 75th destination on the General Election campaign trail, was joined by Labour candidate Jacqui Smith as he viewed the facilities, which were opened last year.

After stopping to chat with members of the Environmental Task Force, set up under the New Deal, Mr Prescott looked at the water facilities and spoke with 13-year-old boater Graham Kettle, who was there as part of the Youth Afloat initiative.

Mr Prescott recalled his own unfortunate dinghy experience when he capsized while wearing a big woolly jumper and nearly sank.

Then it was inside for a tour of the environmental displays and after a short stop to admire some perch in a tank, the Deputy PM finally sat down for a cup of tea.

Mr Prescott described the facilities as 'magic' and commended the work being done at the centre for the disadvantaged.

After a quick impression of Margaret Thatcher, whom he described as a 'nice old lady', he said how every seat in the election was crucial and Redditch was no exception.