Conservative leader David Cameron has given his backing to the Ipswich Evening Star’s Somebody’s Daughter campaign during a visit to the newspaper’s offices.

The MP met editor Nigel Pickover and senior members of staff at the Star’s Lower Brook Street offices, where he also recorded a special video message urging readers to get behind the campaign.

Endorsing the drive to keep young people away from the dangers of drugs and prostitution, he said: “This is an excellent campaign and I think it is very important that it succeeds in providing somewhere for people to help escape the cycle of drugs and prostitution.”

During his visit he also gave an exclusive interview to Star journalist Paul Geater, and told how he was impressed with the way the town recovered from the red light killings of last winter.

He also spoke about dealing with anti-social behaviour, climate change and immigration, and gave qualified backing for the Star’s Air Fair and No More Stansted campaigns.

The Conservative leader was in Ipswich to meet business and council leaders as part of a charm offensive around the country in anticiption of a possible autumn general election.

The Evening Star set up the Somebody’s Daughter campaign in the wake of the deaths of five Ipswich prostitutes.