Former Conservative Party Leader and Maastricht rebel Ian Duncan Smith visited Castle Point on Monday to support Rebecca Harris' campaign.

Rebecca took the Work and Pensions Secretary to Completely K9, a small business on Charfleets industrial estate that provides hydrotherapy services and fun swims for dogs and their owners, to meet Dale Walter, the 2015 Castle Point Apprentice of the Year.

Owners of the business, Jim Yarmouth and Jo Crosby-Deakin set up a demonstration of some of the services they offer with their own dog Erin.

Afterwards the Secretary of State went canvassing with Rebecca, local councillor Ray Howard and Canvey Town Council candidate Jay Blissett.

Speaking on the visit Rebecca said:

"Since 2010 unemployment has decreased by 60% in Castle Point and the number of local young people taking up apprentices has gone through the roof. We have a fantastic work ethic in Castle Point and so I wanted to take him to meet some of the local people whose hard work is currently fuelling Britain's amazing economic turnaround."

Speaking whilst out canvassing Iain Duncam Smith said:

"I have never compromised over Europe, I even voted against my own Government over Maastricht in 1992. It is time the British people had their say and a vote for any party, other than the Conservatives, won't deliver it.

"Everything I have done as Secretary of State is about giving people the dignity of a job. Those who take a job or work more hours are guaranteed to be better off. We have also capped benefits so that no-one can earn more on benefits than the average working wage."