Blair kicks off his campaign

His helicopter landed at Portland Heliport before he was whisked off to the local Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.

The South Dorset seat is held by Labour's Jim Knight, who holds a majority over the Tories of just 153 - meaning any significant swing would see it change hands.

Labour officials said Mr Blair's visit showed he and the party were "working hard for every vote".

Mr Blair made his first off-the-cuff stump speech of the May 5 campaign at the academy, which will host the 2012 Olympic Sailing events if the London host city bid is successful.

He also met Sea Cadets and helped launch his party's labour.org.uk website where he will answer voters' questions between now and polling day.

Earlier, Mr Blair fired the starting gun for the May 5 election in Downing Street, telling reporters the country faced a "big choice".

A motorcade then rushed him at breakneck speed to a waiting hired helicopter for the 45 minute trip to Portland, accompanied by a handful of journalists who were told their destination only once they were airborne.

He told an audience mainly composed of party supporters at the Sailing Academy that though Labour had achieved much in eight years, there was still much to do.

He told them: "I went to the Palace this morning and said some words afterwards in Downing Street and I want to emphasise one thing, and that's the fundamental nature of the choice we face.

"We have made progress - our economy is strong, mortgage rates are low, unemployment low, inflation low.

"We have got investment going into our public services. This is the time to keep the progress going, move the country forward.

"Though the economy is strong, there are still things to do. Right around the country there are still people that need help with home

ownership or with jobs; we need to keep living standards rising."

The Prime Minister said "tremendous progress" had been made in the health service but stressed: "We still have to do far more."

He added: "All the time we have got to keep moving the country forward."

On education, Mr Blair said: "We need to keep it going because there are still children without the opportunities they need."

He said the welfare state needed to expand "in a way that meets the challenges of the modern world".

Speaking on a balcony overlooking Portland Harbour, Mr Blair told his supporters: "In every single part of our country today we can see the progress of the past eight years, but we need to keep it going. That's why we say forward not back, forward with progress not back to the failed old days of the Conservative Party.

"That's the choice."

Mr Blair was greeted by several placard-

waving Tory supporters as his helicopter touched down.

He was later due to head back to London, after posing for pictures strolling along the regenerated harbour frontage.

First published: April 6