NERVOUS Labour candidate John Stockton says he is feeling frayed after campaigning hard across Weaver Vale today.

The Halton Brook councillor 54, is hoping to trade his role as Labour constituency secretary for member of Parliament tonight and says he remains optimistic.

"I'm cautiously optimistic.

"It's been an extremely hard campaign on the ground, we've had 45 people out working for us today knocking on doors.

"There's been a phenomenal amount of effort which has been extremely well co-ordinated and organised.

"It's going to be close, if we win it's going to be our effort, if the Conservatives win it's their money that will have made the difference."