CONSERVATIVE leader William Hague was in north Sussex yesterday to rally support for the party.

He met shoppers and Tory candidates for tomorrow's Horsham District Council elections in Horsham town centre.

Mr Hague, Shadow Chancellor and Horsham MP Francis Maude and the leader's personal secretary, Seb Coe, spent 30 minutes in the town before driving to the A24 at Kingsfold.

Mr Hague was backing Mr Maude's support for a campaign to upgrade the A24 between Horsham and Capel to a dual carriageway.

West Sussex County Council is looking at ways to finance a multi-million scheme for the road, an accident blackspot which it says is one of its top priorities.

The Government threw out an application for funding from the county last year, saying it had to concentrate its efforts on other road buildign schemes in the UK.

Mr Hague said: "It is clear that something needs to be done on this road as soon as possible before another person is injured or killed.

"It is essential that proper funding is provided so important and necessary schems like this are allowed to go ahead."

The road between Horsham and Capel, which forms part of the main link between Worthing and London, is the only part of the A24 that is not a dual carriageway.

Mr Hague also visited open land near Christ's Hospital School, which concerned campaigners say may be used for housing.

The county has been told it must find space for thousands of extra homes over the next ten years and there are fears that Horsham, which has a large amount of countryside, may be forced to bear the brunt.

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