HEALTH minister Jeremy Hunt visited the Tendring Mental Health hub on the campaign trail in Clacton.

The Secretary of State joined Tory candidate Giles Watling on the General Election on Monday.

The pair visited the new centre is being set up in the former Blockbuster store in Old Road by Citizens Advice Bureau Tendring.

Mr Hunt said: "I was pleased to visit the site of the new community mental health hub in Clacton.

“Tendring is leading the way on providing community based support and direction to those with mental health issues.

“Their joined up approach with council, health and police will for every £1 spent reduce costs by £8 for other public services.

“This will help healthcare providers localise services that best support individual needs and vastly improve access to services for local people."

Linda Isaacs, chief executive of the bureau, said: “There are people in the area that need more support for mental health issues.

“Local authorities have put £100,000 into the new mental health hub to provide local support for those in need.

“I am really pleased that so many people have volunteered their time to get the hub ready to open by the end of the month.

“The health secretary and Giles were very interested in the work we want to do and offered their support.”

During his visit to the town, Mr Hunt also met with member of the Family Nurse Partnership at Community Voluntary Services Tendring in Rosemary Road.”

• The candidates for the Clacton seat are Douglas Carswell (Ukip), David Grace (Lib Dem), Chris Southall (Green), Giles Watling (Con), and Tim Young (Lab). The election will take place on May 7.