David Cameron pledged he would give more powers to local councils to control problem pubs when he was challenged over anti-social behaviour in the Black Country.

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And he said he would look into problems with transport links in the region and do more to help out-of-work professionals find jobs. About 200 people from young mothers to civil servants turned up at Windsor High School, Halesowen, to question Mr Cameron, who was in the region as part of his serious of Cameron Direct election warm-up.

The room had given a respectful round of applause as Mr Cameron bounded onto the stand like a prizefighter ready for his next bout in the ring.

He joking removed his jacket “like Tony Blair did” and asked the audience not to hold that against him before ploughing through the questions with gusto.

Mr Cameron’s appearence was timed as the Tories target the Halesowen and Rowley Regis seat with James Morris in a bid to oust Labour MP Sylvia Heal.

Tony Billingham, owner of the Regis Suite in Old Hill, said during his 20 years as a magistrate he had noticed an increase in anti-social behaviour and asked what the Tories would do to tackle the problem.

“The night time economy for some of our towns and cities is out of control,” Mr Cameron said.

He vowed to give more powers to councils to take alcohol licences away from problems bars and shops and reduce the amount of paperwork for police.

Social worker Tim Weller, aged 61, of Hunnington, near Halesowen, asked why a freight line between Stourbridge junction and Walsall could not be opened up for passengers to ease congestion. He said he cycled to work in Birmingham because the journey by car was “constant traffic jams”.

Mr Cameron vowed to look into the issue and write to Mr Weller by Monday.

Recruitment manager Steve Prescott, 42, of Carters Lane, Halesowen asked what the Tories are doing to help professional people who are out of work.

Mr Cameron said he would provide funds for specialised training.