PRIME Minister Rishi Sunak visited south Essex to speak to workers at one of the county’s biggest employers as he attempts to turn around the Tories’ dire polling ahead of the local elections.

Mr Sunak visited the DHL warehouse at the London Gateway, in Corringham, today to host a discussion with workers and tour the distribution centre.

Echo: Discussion - the Prime Minister spoke to DHL workersDiscussion - the Prime Minister spoke to DHL workers (Image: PA)

The visit to the warehouse was part of the Prime Minister’s “PM Connect” series of events where he meets and speaks to voters in a bid to secure votes before residents take to the polls on Thursday.

Echo: Tour - Mr Sunak was shown around the warehouseTour - Mr Sunak was shown around the warehouse (Image: PA)

According to the polls, the Conservatives face a possible drubbing at the elections but Mr Sunak refused to say if he would resign if the Tories lose control of councils, including in Basildon, Southend, and Thurrock when voters have their say.

He said: “Local elections are always difficult for incumbent governments but actually what these local elections do is give us the ability to shine a spotlight on what the reality of Labour in power means.”

Echo: Speaking - Mr Sunak refused to say if he'd resign if Tories lost control of councilsSpeaking - Mr Sunak refused to say if he'd resign if Tories lost control of councils (Image: PA)

“I’m focused on delivering hard for the country,” he added.

“I’ve been talking to employees here about our plans to cut their taxes, which everyone’s going to see in their payslips this week – a £900 tax cut on average.”

Echo: Chat - Mr Sunak speaks with more workersChat - Mr Sunak speaks with more workers (Image: PA)

Wearing a yellow hi-vis jacket, Mr Sunak was shown around the enormous warehouse, which houses copious amounts of Mars and Snickers chocolate bars, by a young DHL apprentice.

Mr Sunak said he was particularly concerned by the significant rise in younger people who “ought to be in the prime of their lives” but were now “trapped on benefits”.

Echo: Warehouse - The PM joked about 'seeing enough Snickers for a while' during the visitWarehouse - The PM joked about 'seeing enough Snickers for a while' during the visit (Image: PA)

The PM also joked about having “seen enough Snickers bars for a while” having been surrounded by confectionery at the warehouse and played basketball with a DHL employee.

Joking with the group, he said: “If you’re surrounded by chocolate all day, does it make you want it more or want it less? For the first five minutes I was like: ‘God I really want a Snickers bar or something,’ and by the end of it I was like: ‘Actually maybe I’ve seen enough Snickers bars for a while.’”