Theresa May has defended the Conservative manifesto saying finding the money to pay the country's social care bill was 'one of the great challenges of our time'.

The prime minister was in Norfolk on the final day of campaigning addressing supporters and activists as part of a whistle-stop tour of important seats.

In a one-on-one interview with this newspaper she defended her U-turn over whether there would be a cap on the cost of social care to individuals.

She said: 'In our manifesto we set out the great challenges. It is great that we have people living longer but the aging population does present us with challenges. If we do nothing about our social care system it will collapse.

'I set out in the manifesto a very open recognition of the challenges this country faces and I have been taking that message together with the importance of Brexit to the streets, in to work places and door knocking. The questions for people to answer now are the same as they were at the beginning of the campaign.'

Asked about what many have said has been a lacklustre campaign by Mrs May she said: ''The campaign has been very positive. The message of the national campaign is the same today as it was at the beginning and has been throughout. People have a clear choice about who they want to see leading the Brexit negotiations and who they want to see leading this country into the future. That is only going to be one of two people – me or Jeremy Corbyn.'

The rally – held at The Space conference centre near Sprowston – was also attended by Norwich North and South candidates Chloe Smith and Lana Hempsall.

Afterwards Ms Smith said people had been positive about Mrs May on the doorstep: 'People who vote Conservative in Norwich North will get strong leadership from Theresa May and a hardworking. local MP.'

Mrs Hempsall said she was pleased with the way her campaign had gone and praised all those who had canvassed alongside her. She added: 'It has been hard work but a real pleasure.'