Cheese, cakes and coffees were the orders of the morning as Labour leader Keir Starmer and Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves visited businesses in Darlington on a visit to the town.

The Labour leader made stops at Cheese and Wine Shop and Influence café, making purchases at both establishments.

Claire Barnes, who works at Darlington's Cheese and Wine Shop told The Northern Echo that the would-be Prime Minister bought a nutty, sweet and robust mature Swiss cheese, labelled with a striking resemblance to his name – Starnachas.

The Northern Echo: Keir Starmer selected a nutty, sweet and robust mature Swiss cheeseKeir Starmer selected a nutty, sweet and robust mature Swiss cheese (Image: JOSHUA NICHOL)

While Rachel Reeves, who is bidding to become the first woman to hold the role of Chancellor, went for a more local offering, purchasing a Berwick Edge from local provider Doddington Dairy – a cheese with notes of pineapple and spice.

The Northern Echo: Rachel Reeves bought a Berwick Edge from local provider Doddington Dairy Rachel Reeves bought a Berwick Edge from local provider Doddington Dairy (Image: JOSHUA NICHOL)

“He wanted something that was quite mature and quite strong,” Ms Barnes said.

“There wasn’t any real political chat, he was really nice and friendly. It was a nice interaction, he was really friendly and really down to earth.

“I told him the cheese was a bit sweet and nutty and then it became sour and tangy and he made a joke that it sometimes sounds like a cabinet meeting.”

The Northern Echo: Claire Barnes at the Cheese and Wine Shop in DarlingtonClaire Barnes at the Cheese and Wine Shop in Darlington (Image: JOSHUA NICHOL)

Catalin Cirimpei, who works at Influence Café, also welcomed Mr Starmer and Ms Reeves for coffee, cakes and croissants.

“They behaved as normal, no dancing on the table,” he told the Echo.

“The election is coming, [politicians] should do as much as they can so we suffer less,” Mr Cirimpei said.

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“Overall, looking at what he promised and what he achieved in honesty it’s 50/50.

“We want to go to vote and we will vote, but at the minute it’s in the balance.”

The Northern Echo: Catalin Cirimpei, who works at Influence Café, DarlingtonCatalin Cirimpei, who works at Influence Café, Darlington (Image: JOSHUA NICHOL)

Neither Mr Cirimpei or Ms Barnes wanted to say how they were planning to vote, but both were impressed with Mr Starmer’s personability.

Darlington is one of the seats the Labour leader will need to win back in order to become the next Prime Minister, the current Conservative majority is 3,294.