by Sarah Shaffi and Keyan Milanian

Prime Minister Gordon Brown visited a Gillingham factory today to learn more about its work in the field of automotive technology.

The PM toured Delphi Diesel Systems in Courteney Road, which designs and makes parts including fuel injection systems.

Mr Brown was taken round by plant manager Grant Hume and spoke to apprentices, managers and union representatives.

The company also spoke to him about being awarded the Carbon Trust Standard for reducing its carbon emissions.

Mr Hume said: “We don’t get a lot of people down here so this visit was very pleasing.

“We haven’t had a prime minister here since 1977. I think it’s fantastic Mr Brown came down.”

Diane Kneller of Rochester Road, Chatham, was one of the people who got to speak to Mr Brown.

The 58-year-old, who has worked at Delphi for 22 years, said: “He just spoke to me about my job and asked where the pumps we were making were going.

“It was wonderful. I had no idea he was coming and when I saw him I almost died.”

The Prime Minister then visited the home of Medway’s Labour leader Paul Godwin.

Mr Brown met community leaders including St John’s headteacher Diana Keating, chairperson of Medway Autism Group and Information Centre (MAGIC) Sian Ford and Director of the Medway Ethnic Minority Forum, Parminder Singh Upple.

He also met Chatham and Aylesford MP Jonathan Shaw.

The visit was part of a whistle-stop tour of the Towns, having met managers and staff at Delphi Diesel Systems in Gillingham.