Workers at a Woolwich warehouse where the "Ed stone" is being housed are under 24-hour media siege from journalists camped outside, trying to spot the ill-fated election prop, an MP claims.

The 8ft plinth of promises - unveiled in the marginal Hastings seat by Ed Miliband during the campaign - is thought to be under lock and key at the aptly-named Westminster Industrial Estate in Woolwich.

Writing in the Mail on Sunday, Labour MP for Barrow John Woodcock said the stone should be publicly "smashed to bits".

He said the media "are involved in 24-hour surveillance of the premises to thwart any dastardly attempt by Labour officials to smuggle the stone out in the dead of night and dispose of it."

Mr Woodcock added: "We must embrace our symbol of failure so we can move on from it." 

He said: "The Ed Stone must be released from captivity - and then smashed to bits in public."