Tony Blair has urged Labour supporters to cast their vote on May 5 to ensure continued investment in public services.

The prime minister said that there was a "fundamental choice" between his party and the Conservatives.

He said Labour would deliver public services while the Tories would transfer taxpayers' money to the private sector.

"If people value a strong economy they've got to come out and vote for it," Blair said at the launch of a new set of posters with the slogan 'If you value it, vote for it'.

He added: "If they value a National Health Service that is free at the point of use, rather than having money siphoned off out of the NHS to the private sector, they have to vote for it.

"And if they value a school system in which we are putting all the extra resources we can into state schools and not siphoning some of the money off for private schools... they have to vote for it.

"If you value it, vote for it; for the National Health Service, for schools, for the strong economy."

At a later press conference, the prime minister said the campaign was "now entering a new phase".

"Over these coming days people have got to make up their minds as to which government to elect for our country and I know the British people will give very serious thought to the choice that is before them," he said.

"We have had the programmes and manifestos from the parties.

"I think I can say to you without any doubt, certainly in my mind, there is only one serious programme for government that has been set out."