Don’t be too surprised if you bump into a top politician on the streets of Ipswich or Lowestoft over the next few weeks – both the Conservatives and Labour are preparing to send in their “big guns” to the marginal constituencies.

A spokesman for the Conservatives said they were preparing a schedule of visits to the seats by well-known figures from the party over the next few weeks to shore up support in the seats that Labour is trying to regain having lost them in 2010.

Exact details of visits are likely to only become known the day before they arrive for security reasons – and if the Prime Minister herself visits the media is expected to get only a few hours notice.

Meanwhile Labour is also planning a series of big-name visits. A senior shadow cabinet member has been pencilled in to attend the May Day Festival on Sunday – but this cannot be confirmed until the last minute to ensure flexibility in case other issues arise.