Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was spotted around Altrincham Market as a part of a tour of the region today (January 5).

Mr Sunak was spotted with Conservative MP Sir Graham Brady and his prospective replacement, Oliver Carroll, on Friday.

Photos by one onlooker, Jonathan Boyers, showed him sitting inside the market and speaking to a trader outside the market.

The Messenger was not warned about the appearance in advance but earlier in the day the Prime Minister answered questions on a range of topics including Levelling Up and the North-South divide at an event in Marple, Stockport.

Mr Sunak said: "I am a northern MP. I represent a community over in the North East [Richmond, Yorkshire].

"For me Levelling Up is about making sure everyone, no matter where they live in our country, feels like they and their family have every opportunity to build the life they want for themselves and feels pride in the place they call home."

Messenger Newspapers: Rishi Sunak at Altrincham Market

Meanwhile Sir Graham told The Messenger about his time at Altrincham Market.

The market underwent a regeneration backed by Trafford Council a decade ago.

He said: "I was delighted Rishi Sunak joined me and Oliver Carroll as a part of a tour. 

"We took him around the market and for lunch in the Market House which is at the centre of Altrincham's rejuvenation. This was a success achieved with the support of Trafford Council when it was under Conservative Party control. 

"The PM met a number of people and, clearly, he enjoyed chatting to everyone. 

"I know Rishi Sunak as a warm, likeable and thoroughly decent man – the more people he meets, the more people get to know this for themselves."

The constituency of Altrincham and Sale West is set to be a battleground between the Conservative Party and the Labour Party at the next election, which is set to be within the next year or so, with some polls such as those on Electoral Calculus suggesting the latter's chances of winning are more than 80 per cent.

The candidates for Altrincham and Sale West as it stands are Mr Carroll (Conservative), Ben Hartley (Labour), Jane Brophy (Lib Dem) and Geraldine Coggins (Green).

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.