OLIVER LETWIN says the Conservative party is "cautiously optimistic" about making gains at next month's local council and European elections. But he conceded the party still has a way to go before it can oust Labour from power.

The shadow chancellor was on a whistle-stop tour of Kent designed to lift the party's profile ahead of polling day and to meet candidates.

About one million people in the county will be able to vote in the European elections while voters in Maidstone, Swale and Tunbridge Wells will be electing new councillors to a third of seats in each district.

Mr Letwin said the Conservatives expected to do well but denied any progress they made would simply be because of disillusionment with Tony Blair's leadership and Iraq.

He said: "We are cautiously optimistic but are not taking anything for granted. The big problem is apathy and we do want to persuade people these elections are about important issues and they should vote."

"We are not seen as divided or un-leadable but it is certainly true we have more work to do to persuade people who feel let down by Labour that we have a credible alternative to offer," he added.

During his day-long visit, Mr Letwin met residents from the Shepway housing estate, Maidstone, along with Maidstone and Malling police chiefs, to talk about tackling anti-social behaviour.

Mr Letwin, who began his tour with a meeting at Kings Hill business park, also met business chiefs in Sevenoaks and Kent County Council leader Cllr Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart (Con).