SWINDON has welcomed its fourth Government minister in less than a month.

Communities' minister, Parmjit Dhanda, was in the town to launch the Labour Party's election manifesto.

The minister met up with the town's Labour councillors and candidates to kick-start their local campaign in the run up to the May 1 elections.

While in the town the minister, whose portfolio includes community cohesion, met with members of Broadgreen Organisation Of Neighbourhood Development.

The group aims to forge links and cohesion between different ethnic groups living in the area.

He was invited along by Labour's central ward candidate, Junab Ali, who is a member of BOND.

Mr Ali said: "There are between 24 and 27 ethnic groups living in this area. BOND is trying to integrate all these groups but it is not always a simple task.

"It was wonderful we were able to show the minister the work we are doing."

The minister said: "These are important elections for Swindon and it is great to meet a team who are so dedicated to improving the lives for the local community.

"Tackling problem behaviour is something the Labour Government is committed to.

"We are on the side of hard-working families and that is something clearly visible here in Swindon."

The MP's visit follows appearances by housing, anti-fraud, and disabilities ministers in Swindon during March.