TORY leader William Hague flew in to Bury on Saturday (June 10) to further his party's fight to save the pound.

Mr Hague pledged his party would return to power at the next election and promised that his Keep the Pound campaign would prove a crucial weapon in the run-up to polling. Welcoming a swing of votes behind his fight against a single European currency, Mr Hague said it was not just for Europe to run Britain's economy.

He said: "At the moment interest and mortgage rates are set in London. If we scrap the pound these rates would be set in Frankfurt. "We do not want to get rid of the pound but save it. It is right for the country to keep its own currency, not one run by Europe."

Accompanied by MP and former English athlete Seb Coe, Mr Hague flew in by helicopter from Edgbaston for his whistle stop visit to Bury.

Landing in the grounds of Bury Grammar School, Mr Hague's small entourage was whisked by car to The Rock shopping precinct to join local Keep the Pound campaigners and help collect signatures from locals backing his crusade.

Telling one supporter the Labour party was in a shambles Mr Hague, pictured meeting voters, said his visit to Bury was part of a move away from fighting policies in London.

He said: "Too many politicians stay in Westminster. I want to be out talking to people in their own constituencies and fighting campaigns such as saving the pound."

Commenting on Denmark's forthcoming referendum on single currency issues, the opposition leader said a decision by the Danes to support the Euro would not change his own party's view on the future of the pound.

After his 30 minute stay in the town, Mr Hague returned to his helicopter to travel to a garden party in his own constituency in Richmond, North Yorkshire.