MARATHON man, comedian and Labour activist Eddie Izzard joined the campaign trail yesterday, as the fight for South Dorset heats up.

The comedian is most famous for his surrealist stand-up routines and running around the UK.

He ran 43 marathons in 51 days last summer to raise money for the charity Sport Relief, despite having only had six weeks training for the event.

Mr Izzard is appearing in a campaign video for Labour called Brilliant Britain.

He joined South Dorset MP Jim Knight on the campaign trail as he greeted parents and pupils at Conifers Primary School, Radipole Lane.

Mr Izzard signed autographs, posed for pictures and chatted with the pupils, parents and teachers.

Action for Children workers from the Sure Start centre, next to Conifers School, Rebecca Grice and Rebecca Oliver, were some of the first people to meet Mr Knight and Mr Izzard.

Mrs Grice said: “It’s nice for the kids to meet someone so famous and all the kids know who Jim is.”

One Year 6 pupil said: “We are all in shock from meeting Eddie. We all shook hands and he asked us our names.”

The group then made their way to the seafront to start a walk about, and stopped at Café Nero in St Thomas Street for breakfast.

Assistant manager Michael Gillard who served the comedian, said: “It’s brilliant. I was totally shocked when he came in.”

Waiter Richard Hides, 26, of Portland, was taking his dog Winston for a walk when he passed the group at the cafe.

He said: “Both Eddie and Jim seem quite honest, they were quick to just get their point across, but that’s all politicians.”

Shoppers crowded round the group to take pictures and chat.

The group continued on to Morrison’s in Dorchester Road, before Mr Izzard returned to London.

Mr Izzard performed a comedy gig at Weymouth College on Tuesday night, with all proceeds going to the Labour party.

He said: “It seemed to go really well. I’m a little bit tired now because I have been campaigning for 10 days in a row, which I volunteered for.”

When asked about future political plans, he said: “I will definately run in an election in the next 10 years, as a member of the European Parliament or as Mayor of London.”

He added: “It would be arrogant of me to come down here and tell the people of Weymouth and Portland what’s going to happen in their area. But I can talk about Labour’s plans for the NHS and schools and the SureStart centres.

“I believe that Labour has a vision and I hope that I can articulate that vision more completely and hope I can inspire people.”