A NEW poll has slashed the Conservative's lead over Labour to just five points - the smallest margin since Theresa May became Prime Minister.

If replicated in the June 8 General Election it would put the Worcester seat on a knife-edge, with Tory Robin Walker defending a majority of 5,646 in a 'bellwether' seat.

The new survey, by YouGov, has placed Labour on 38 per cent of the vote, up three per cent in a week.

It is Jeremy Corbyn's best performance since he became Labour leader, with suggestions he has benefitted from a bounce since both main parties released their manifestos.

The Conservatives were down one point to 43 per cent, with the Lib Dems up one point to 10 per cent and UKIP on four per cent, also up one.

If the swing was matched in the voting, Mrs May would see her 17-seat overall majority slashed to two - a near-disaster for her premiership.

Labour's parliamentary candidate Councillor Joy Squires said: "People have realised that the Tories have no plan for the future other than hitting our pensioners hard and taking free school meals away from our children.

Worcester News:

"Labour's message is one of hope, with practical policies to improve people's lives through better public services, investing in our young people and protection for our pensioners."

But Mr Walker said: "That shift we've seen in the polls hasn't been reflected on the doorstep.

"What it does show is that people are reflecting on things and they have a serious choice at the this election, a Government led by Jeremy Corbyn or one led by Theresa May.

"When I talk to people, it's very clear to me that they don't want Jeremy Corbyn as Prime Minister."

Several county-based Tories today insisted the poll findings was not being matched by feedback on the doorsteps.

The poll, which was conducted after the Manchester bombings, also follows the Tory manifesto which included the dumping of the triple-lock on pensions, an adult care shake-up and the means-testing of the winter fuel allowance.