WELSH Secretary Peter Hain was in Monmouth yesterday to bolster support for Labour candidate Huw Edwards, whose parliamentary seat rests on a knife-edge.

Leader of the House of Commons and Neath candidate Mr Hain said Monmouthshire would be a two-horse race between Mr Edwards and Conservative candidate David Davies.

"It will be the tightest fight between Conservative and Labour in the country," he said. "Huw has represented the people of Monmouthshire for the past eight years and has represented many good causes.

"Our message to Labour supporters is to get out and vote on May 5, don't stay at home expecting Huw to win, it's so tight every vote will count." Labour's majority in Monmouthshire in 2001 was 384 - less than 1 per cent. A total of 19,021 people voted Labour, while the Conservatives were just behind with 18,637.

Speaking at the Bridges Community Centre, Mr Edwards said Monmouth was a very attractive town which had changed in the past few years.

Yesterday he visited homes in the Overmonnow area with Mr Hain, and said they would be returning to other areas of the town within the next few weeks.

They were joined by Labour's Newport East candidate, Jessica Morden, and later by Irish Secretary and Monmouthshire-born Paul Murphy, who is standing in Torfaen.

Mr Hain added the eyes of Britain would be on the Monmouthshire contest.