South Dorset Tory candidate Richard Drax has had an unlikely endorsement – from a veteran Labour MP who joined him on the campaign trail.

Kate Hoey, who was the MP for Vauxhall from 1989 until this year and a former junior minister in Tony Blair's government, joined Mr Drax in Dorset

She was one of the few Labour MPs to support Brexit in the run up to the 2016 referendum, and has been vocal about her support for EU withdrawal ever since.

Mr Drax, also a Brexiteer, said: "We agreed on many of the same things, especially voting to leave the EU. Kate joined us for a special, full-house, Leave evening (in Weymouth) in early 2016, and has long been unstinting in her backing for Brexit.

"I am grateful for her support and delighted to have her company as I campaign; she has been a wonderful MP and her intelligence and common sense have endeared her to many supporters outside Labour.”

"This proves that Brexit transcends traditional politics; it is neither right nor left to care about the future of your country."

Ms Hoey, who is not seeking re-election to parliament, said: "This election is about making sure we honour the result of the referendum and Leave the European Union. I campaigned with Richard during the referendum campaign sharing a cross party platform in Weymouth and am pleased to support his re-election to Parliament. I’m looking forward to meeting many of his electors this week."