Prime Minister Theresa May made a flying visit to Copeland today on the by-election campaign trail.

She was backing Conservative contender Trudy Harrison’s bid to become MP by visiting Bootle, the candidate’s home village.

During the 30-minute visit, the PM visited the Captain Shaw’s Primary School, which Mrs Harrison fought to save several years ago.

Mrs May spoke in private to the headteacher, Peter Mills, and some of his pupils. A demonstration was also given by the pupils of their Lego robot.

Mrs May said: “It’s been a great visit. This is a fantastic school and it is here because of Trudy and the community coming together and recognising the school is at the heart of the community.

“I have been blown away by the children.”

Mrs May talked about the local NHS and the proposed Moorside nuclear development, which she said the Conservatives are committed to, and recognise its importance.

“A number of issues have been raised about the NHS, in particular the West Cumberland Hospital,” she said. “There is no truth whatsoever to close the A&E at the West Cumberland Hospital.

"Labour have made claims about what I have said about maternity services. The claims they made are misleading.’’

It had previously been claimed Mrs May had refused to intervene to stop consultant-led maternity services being removed from Whitehaven.