Chancellor George Osborne was hoping to give the opposition a licking during a visit to an ice cream parlour today.

He was the latest Tory big gun to visit one of the hottest target seats in the country, when he took a tour around Ramsgate.

Mr Osborne was to be joined by South Thanet Tory candidate Craig Mackinlay and local businessmen.

During the visit he was also due to launch a new round of the government's Coastal Communities Fund.

He gave a heavy hint that Mr Mackinlay’s plan to ‘Regenerate Ramsgate’ would be a likely beneficiary.

George Osborne said: “I am hugely impressed by Craig’s plan to Regenerate Ramsgate, and I am pleased to be here to announce that the next Conservative government will launch a new round of the Coastal Communities Fund.

"It’s really important that towns like Ramsgate get the support they need to get more business investment, more visitors and more well-paid jobs for local people. That’s what the Coastal Communities Fund will do.

“But the important thing is, if you want this kind of support for Ramsgate, you have to vote for it. The election here in South Thanet is a two-horse race between the Conservatives and UKIP.

"The choice is between the Conservatives - with a strong local candidate who is part of a strong team of ministers and MPs - and UKIP, who will never have the power to change anything.

“And of course, a vote for UKIP in South Thanet risks letting in Ed Miliband, propped up by the Scottish Nationalists.”

Craig Mackinlay said: “The arrival in Ramsgate today of the Chancellor of the Exchequer shows that I’m part of a strong Conservative team that can get things done for the local area."

During the tour Mr Osborne was expected to visit the Sorbetto Ice Cream Parlour, on Harbour Parade in Ramsgate.