TWO rugby and cricket stars in Worcester have agreed to back Robin Walker's bid for re-election - as well as 10 business owners in the city.

The Conservative has upped the ante for the General Election contest by getting his nomination papers signed by Worcester Warriors' Craig Gillies and ex-England cricketer Tim Curtis, a former Worcestershire captain who retired back in 1996.

Mr Walker, who is facing a battle from Labour Councillor Joy Squires to hold onto the seat, has also taken a leaf out of David Cameron's book by getting a range of business owners to back his cause.

It includes Neil Westwood, who runs city-based Magic Whiteboard, a former winner of the Dragon's Den BBC show, Stuart Allen, founder of Twitter phenomenon 'Worcestershire Hour', Simon Lancaster of SJL Insurance, Chris Walklett who runs Bishop Fleming Chartered Accountants and Robert Capper from Harrison Clark.

Mr Allen said: "He has not just been our MP, he lives and breathes Worcester, raising Worcester in parliament as often as he can.

"I can't thank Robin enough for the support and commitment he gives Worcestershire Hour and our work to promote business and charities in our county."

Mr Westwood said he felt Mr Walker had been "an excellent MP" and added that he felt his business needs the economic recovery to continue.

Stuart Bailey of Thomas Guise, Simon Bailey from BT Local Zone, Ian Stirzaker from SME Solicitors and Simon Holliday from Aeromet, based in Blackpole, have also agreed to publicly back his cause as has Ian Whiting, from Titania Limited, a cyber security firm in Barbourne.

Mr Walker said: "I have been very proud to speak up for local businesses over the last five years and I think any MP should be a voice for those who create jobs and drive the country's economic success."

He added: “I am particularly proud of the focus that has been brought to backing small businesses which are responsible for so much of the employment boom we've seen in the last few years."

"I want to continue this work by pressing for more reform of business rates, more investment in apprenticeships, and more success for the local High Street.

"Worcester is already leading the UK economic recovery with unemployment halved and apprenticeships doubled, but with strong businesses such as these, I believe we can do even better.

The move follows a story in the Daily Telegraph in which more than 100 business leaders around the UK backed the Conservatives, claiming a Labour Government would "threaten Britain's recovery".

The Labour Party hit back nationally by producing a letter of its own signed by 100 actors, nurses, doctors, business owners and low-paid workers.

Today Councillor Squires, who is trying to overturn Mr Walker's 2,982 majority, said: "I am very proud of Worcester’s small businesses.

"Not only do I recognise that are they the backbone of the local economy, I also appreciate how they contribute to Britain’s place in the global economy.

"I am committed to supporting them fully, which is why over the past two years I have invited so many shadow ministers to meet local businesses in Worcester to discuss their needs.

"A Labour Government will back small business, cut business rates, improve access to finance, cut red tape, and invest in skills and infrastructure – all of which has actually been sadly lacking under the Tory-led Government."

TWO OTHER WOULD-BE WORCESTER MPs TRY TO GET COUNCIL SEATS

TWO Worcester parliamentary candidates are also standing for the city council, it has emerged.

Your Worcester News can reveal how Peter McNally, from left wing group Trade Unionist and Socialists Coalition (TUSC), will be contesting the Bedwardine council seat, part of St John's.

The socialist will be taking on another six candidates in the ward, including Councillor Marc Bayliss, the Conservative city council deputy leader.

Elsewhere, UKIP's James Goad has also put his name down to contest the neighbouring St John's ward, taking on five others in a seat currently held by Labour's Richard Udall.

It means for the first time ever, two city General Election candidates will also be trying to get elected onto council seats on the same night.

Under election law there is nothing to prohibit candidates from going for the two, or indeed doing those roles at the same time, if either ended up with a double-victory.

* Worcester's other parliamentary candidates include Green Louis Stephen, Lib Dem Federica Smith, independent Mark Shuker, Labour's Joy Squires and Conservative Robin Walker.

DAME ESTHER RANTZEN VISITS WORCESTERSHIRE TO TOUR CONSTITUENCY

TV STAR Dame Esther Rantzen has visited Worcestershire - bringing a bit of glitz to the General Election contest.

The former host of BBC show 'That's Life', who stood for the Commons herself in 2010 after being outraged by the expenses scandal, went to an evening reception at the Wood Norton Hotel, near Evesham to meet Conservative Nigel Huddleston, the party's Mid-Worcestershire parliamentary candidate.

During the visit she talked about her work with charity Silverline, a free telephone service offering advice to older people.

Despite describing herself as "a floating voter" she also said she was pleased Mr Huddleston was the Tory candidate as the duo are friends, and toured the constituency while she was here.

Mr Huddleston said: "It was great to catch up with Esther.

"She entertained everyone at the event with her hilarious anecdotes and then pulled at our heartstrings telling us about her charity work.

"The energy and enthusiasm she is putting into the Silverline is incredible.

"Many people stopped us in the streets and Esther was charming and gracious as always, having her photo taken and chatting with people of all ages."

The other candidates in the constituency are Labour's Robin Lunn, Richard Keel, from UKIP, Margaret Rowley from the Liberal Democrats and Neil Franks, from the Green Party.