Prime Minister Gordon Brown has confirmed that the UK general election will be held on May 6th.

The date had been widely expected as Mr Brown admitted that it was the "least well-kept secret of recent years".

Both the Labour party and the Conservatives have been courting the small business vote, with many believing that the Tories have the majority of support after unveiling their plans to cut National Insurance contributions.

Labour are pinning their hopes of victory on the slowly recovering economy. The country has emerged from the recession and has recorded growth figures for the last two quarters.

"Britain is on the road to recovery and nothing we do should put that recovery at risk," said Mr Brown.