THE BUTCHER, BAKER AND THE CANDLESTICK MAKER BACK JOHN LEECH

5.00.15pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 26th Apr 2010

Pictured from left to right: Matt Gallagher (retired poiliceman, Chorlton); Mrs Malik (shopkeeper, Malik's Stores, Didsbury); Tony Hennigan (Teacher at St Bede's lives in Ladybarn); Laura Wright (care assistant, lives in Didsbury); Tom Faulkner (Bar Manager Farmer's Arms, lives in Burnage); John Leech (Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Manchester Withington); Owen Clayton (Clayton's Family Butcher's Didsbury); Lianne Williams (Cllr Didsbury West ward, carer and classroom support, lives in Didsbury); Haroon Rashid (local business owner, lives in Didsbury).

Forget comedians from London, it's the local celebrities that we see day in day out and who support the community tirelessly.

These are the people who matter here in south Manchester and it is these local people who have stood up to be counted in support of John Leech's campaign in Manchester Withington.

The butcher, baker and even a makeshift candlestick-maker teamed up with John Leech on the campaign trail yesterday to demonstrate the strength of support the Liberal Democrats have.

John Leech was joined by a whole host of other people, who have ordinary but important jobs, outside his constituency office in Didsbury.

There was local butcher Owen Clayton, Bar Manager Tom Faulkner, and even a candlestick maker in the form of Tony Hennigan, currently a teacher, who hand-made the candles at St Bernard's Church, Burnage 21 years ago!

The baker came in the form of Cllr Lianne Williams from Didsbury West, who bakes as a hobby.

Lianne said: "I always pop down to the office with my homemade cakes and biscuits - they go down a treat with all the volunteers in the office. It's the least I can do for all the people who give up their time to help John and the campaign.

"I do have to make quite a lot as the office can get quite busy with volunteers!"

Lianne is also a carer and provides classroom support to children with learning difficulties.

Retired policeman, Matt Gallagher from Chorlton said:

"John has been a great MP for our area and I fully support his campaign, especially the Liberal Democrat pledge to bring more police to our streets."

Local butcher Owen Clayton whose family run Clayton's butchers in Didsbury commented:

"John has always kept in touch with us and is very popular amongst all our customers."

Laura Wright, who works as a Care Assistant in Didsbury and turned up to show her support for John, said:

"I'm backing John because he is a local choice for local people; I hope people won't be taken in by the bright lights of other candidates' famous friends.

"We want someone who knows about us and can represent us, not just someone who turns up around election time with a bunch of celebrities in tow!"

John Leech commented:

"This next election is certainly going to be a close fight between the Liberal Democrats and Labour here in south Manchester and I think people will vote for the candidate who is willing to stand up for them and protect local services.

"Lucy may have trooped Eddie Izzard up from London but people here can see through that; I think it is the local people who are the celebrities around here!"

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Pictured from left to right: Matt Gallagher (retired poiliceman, Chorlton); Mrs Malik (shopkeeper, Malik's Stores, Didsbury); Tony Hennigan (Teacher at St Bede's lives in Ladybarn); Laura Wright (care assistant, lives in Didsbury); Tom Faulkner (Bar Manager Farmer's Arms, lives in Burnage); John Leech (Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Manchester Withington); Owen Clayton (Clayton's Family Butcher's Didsbury); Lianne Williams (Cllr Didsbury West ward, carer and classroom support, lives in Didsbury); Haroon Rashid (local business owner, lives in Didsbury).

More photo's available on request as well as individual photographs.