HUNDREDS of Wirral workers were told their company saved the Prime Minister’s Christmas after he used one of their products to unblock his sink.

David Cameron visited the Unilever site in Port Sunlight with Chancellor George Osborn on Friday as part of a two-day tour of the Northwest aimed at creating a northern powerhouse.

The PM and Chancellor took questions from members of staff on topics including the NHS, zero hour contracts, apprenticeships and the region’s economic growth.

The question and answer session came after the pair were given a tour of Unilever’s new personal care factory where products including TRESemme, Dove, Persil and Domestos are produced.

Addressing the workers, Mr Cameron thanked them for saving his Christmas.

He said: “I had finished working at No 10 Downing Street, meeting the last European Council of the year. I got to my house in my constituency and my sink was blocked.

“And like any ignorant, hopeless, useless male, I stripped down to the waist, got under the sink, started trying to do something about it, disconnecting that u-bend - total disaster.

“It was only when I gave up, went to Chipping Norton and bought the strongest Domestos bleach I could find, that the whole thing was fixed.”

Friday’s visit came as Unilever bosses announced a £200m investment in the company, something the PM said would make its founder William Lever proud.

Answering a question from one Unilever worker, Chancellor George Osborne said it was important to connect “the great cities of the north” and the counties in between them, something he said would create a powerhouse that would rival anywhere else.

Wirral Globe:
George Osborn and David Cameron take questions from Unilever staff.

Following the duo’s session on the country’s economic growth, regional media including the Globe were given an opportunity to question the PM.

Asked whether he felt uncomfortable that while the economy seems to be responding positively to the Government’s strategies, there appears to be a section of society that is being left behind and seeing their positions worsen, the PM said it was a “key priority” to make sure jobs were created for everyone.

He said: “We want to make sure that everybody is included in this economic recovery and what we’re doing is, here in the Northwest, we are creating, over the last year, 200 extra people getting a job every day.

"We need to do everything we can to make sure that those are jobs available to people coming off the unemployment register – that’s a key priority for us.

“Also we maintain a strong and proper safety net in terms of the welfare system. As I said on the steps of Downing Street four years ago, those who can should and those who can’t, we will always help and that’s the case today.”

The issue of devolving powers to Liverpool was also raised, with the PM saying he was happy to look at it but said it “does not necessarily” have to involve a metro mayor.