BRITAIN'S best known hotel proprietor Basil Fawlty stepped into the General Election campaign in Accrington.

Basil, otherwise known as television comedy actor John Cleese, sent a telegram to Accrington Labour Party urging the town's voters to support his old friend and squash partner, Labour candidate Arthur Davidson. The telegram read: "This is to certify that Arthur Davidson is a bit of all right. I hope the good people of Accrington, and some of the naughty ones, will send him back where he belongs(Westminster)."