SPEAKING to families in Bury was thirsty work for Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls, who got behind the bar to pull himself a pint at a town centre cafe.

Mr Balls chatted to six families in Barista Cafe Bar in The Rock – telling them Labour believe more than 5,000 working families in Bury North are worse off under the Tories.

Alongside James Frith, Labour’s candidate for Bury North, the Shadow Chancellor answered questions on the issues facing families in the borough.

Mr Balls said: “I came to Bury North today to support James’ campaign for a Fair Deal for Bury and meet local families who are struggling under this Tory government.

“They told me they are finding it hard to make ends meet with cuts to their tax credits, higher energy bills and rising child care costs.

“We spoke about Labour’s fully funded plans to expand free childcare places to 25 hours a week, introduce a 10p tax rate to cut taxes for those on low and middle incomes and freeze energy bills until 2017.

“These are things that will make a real difference and help families in Bury.”

Mr Balls spoke about Mr Frith’s Save Bury Hospice campaign and said he is committed to running a half marathon for Bury Hospice next year.

He was also quizzed by Victoria Kay, the owner of Barista Cafe Bar, on business tax, minimum wage increases and VAT. She said: “It was Ed’s idea to get behind the bar, but he wasn’t very good at pulling a pint!

“I thought it was a good opportunity to speak to him about the concerns I have as an employer and business owner.

“Ed was very interested in hearing what people had to say and made a point of going into the kitchen and speaking to staff, which they thought was a really nice gesture.

“Having someone of his calibre visit our shop and see how a local owner-operated business in a high profile unit within the town centre works was fantastic.”

Speaking after the visit, Mr Frith said: “It was fantastic to welcome Ed to Bury and the Rock.

“He listened to the concerns we have in Bury with the cost of living and families struggling to make ends meet. The families who joined us were from all over our town.

“They told Ed of the struggles they’ve endured over the last five years and suggested what a future Labour government should do to best support working families."

After visiting Bury, Mr Balls – a devoted Norwich City fan – took some time out to watch his beloved Canaries beat Bolton Wanderers 2-1 at the Macron Stadium.