WORCESTER delegates at the Labour Party Conference were treated to a vintage performance by John "Two Jabs" Prescott.

It is traditional for the West Midlands drinks reception - held on the first night - to be addressed by one of the party's big hitters.

And with Prime Minister Tony Blair tied up in London, the Deputy Prime Minister offered to step in. He did not disappoint...

First, his aides insisted on clearing a path through the crowded room so Mr Prescott could reach the stage without any bother.

As he jostled through the crowds, surrounded by his political minders, one wag pointed out the scene was strikingly similar to a boxer entering a ring.

The only thing missing was a towel and a silk dressing gown baring the words John 'Thumper' Prescott.

When he reached the stage, he then proceeded to shadow box with Dennis Turner, chairman of the West Midlands Parliamentary Labour Party.

He opened his speech by thanking activists for helping Labour to an historic second successive term in power.

Mr Prescott said he had strong memories of visiting the county on the "Prescott Express" during the election campaign.

He said: "I went there on my battle bus, err, peace bus."

Mr Prescott wound-up the crowd by suggesting Labour could spend the next 1,000 years in office - "We want to stamp our mark on the coming millennium like the Tories did the last" - and he was gone.

The delegates were thrilled - playing the infamous footage of his dust up in Rhyl with a protester as he left the room, in tribute.

Indeed some were even complaining his virtuoso performance had left them all hot under the collar.

But it later turned out that had had nothing to do with the big man, who is very popular with the party's rank and file.

Some of the older members of the audience had complained the noise of the air conditioning system at Brighton's Metropole was drowning out the speeches.

So it was turned off - leaving the rest of us to bake in the sweltering heat.