GORDON Brown's campaign tour hit a snag as he was barred by Swindon Council from taking the media into a children's centre.

The Prime Minister was forced to leave accompanying journalists, broadcasters and photographers at the gates as he visited the Drove People's Campus in Swindon South, which is a marginal seat.

Labour responded angrily to the move, accusing the local authority of failing to inform them of the decision until 11.30am.

A spokesman for Mr Brown said: "It is absolutely outrageous for the Tory council to be trying to block access to the great facilities that are being provided here.

"It is clearly a party political decision."

Swindon Borough Council insisted it had no choice under the law.

A spokesman said the Local Government Act 1986 meant the authority "cannot allow electioneering on any council premises or property in the official pre-election period".

"We have been completely even-handed about this with all the political parties."

The spokesman added that Tory chairman Eric Pickles and shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley had similarly been prevented from taking media with them to council premises.

The Prime Minister spoke to journalists outside the gates as he departed.

He said: "You are seeing on this campus some wonderful things being done.

"Perhaps on another occasion you will be able to get in yourselves and see what's being done here."