MR INCREDIBLE; pounds 200 OFF COUNCIL TAX AND FREE BUS FARESFOR OAP S CHILD BENEFIT UP TAX CREDIT UP MORE CHILDCARE pounds 12.6 BILLION TO IMPROVE SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES.

Byline: OONAGH BLACKMAN, Political Editor

GORDON Brown turned into Mr Incredible yesterday, giving his help to young and old alike as he kick- started Labour's election campaign.

The Chancellor produced a package of Budget wizardry that left his political opponents floundering.

First-time housebuyers saw the stamp duty threshold doubled to pounds 120,000. Hard-up families will get higher child tax credit and benefit.

For the vital "grey vote", Mr Brown announced a council tax refund of pounds 200 for pensioners over 65, plus free local bus travel from next year.

And with an pounds 12billion rebuilding programme for primary schools and further education colleges, his ninth Budget was seen as a "third term blueprint".

Football fan Mr Brown mentioned Arsenal's 49-match unbeaten run and said he could report economic growth "for the 50th consecutive quarter".

Tory Michael Howard, looking like Mr Impossible, called the package "vote now pay later".

IT'S SHOWTIME! BROWN'S ELECTION BUDGET: FULL COVERAGE INSIDE