DURSLEY was taken by surprise today when Boris Johnson took a stroll down the high street in the lead up to the General Election.

The mayor of London took to Parsonage Street in support of prospective MP Neil Carmichael’s campaign for re-election in the Stroud district.

After visiting several shops and handing out flyers for Mr Carmichael’s campaign Boris described Dursley as a “lovely town” and said he was embarrassed he hadn’t been here more often.

The floppy haired politician arrived at Sainsbury’s in Castle Street at around midday and immediately asked Mr Carmichael if they “were going sheep shearing”, a reference to a previous visit to Lister Shearing when it was still based at the bottom of Long Street.

After this he took to Parsonage Street followed by a crowd of supporters and popped into various shops including the Cotswold Care Hospice charity shop, butchers J Broomhall Ltd and hardware store Durcan’s.

Boris said: “Dursley is a lovely town – I’m embarrassed that I haven’t been here more often in the past.”

Speaking on what the Conservative Party could do to help out high streets like the one in Dursley, he said: “We are really trying to support people who are employed in small businesses and are doing that through review of business rates and offering business rate relief.

“Areas like this have a high potential for growth and if we don’t do anything about their struggle we will bitterly mourn the loss of the high street.”

Boris also touched on an issue close to many people’s hearts in the area – the preservation of countryside against the onslaught of major developments.

“The Conservatives want to build 200,000 more homes but we want to do that on brownfield sites,” he said.

“If we don't make developers build on brownfield land they’re just going to take advantage of our countryside.”

After paying a visit to Dursley Heritage Centre and taking a look at the restored Pedersen bicycle the blonde-haired mayor was whisked away in a car, pumping his fist and shouting “three more weeks” out the passenger side window as he left.

Mr Carmichael was delighted with Boris’ visit and said: “The main message today is about the success of the Conservative’s long-term economic plan which is underpinned by Festomane.”

Festomane is Stroud’s festival of manufacturing and engineering which was established under Mr Carmichael.

The General Election will be held on May 7.