IT WAS the moment a leading Tory activist from Hampshire made headlines for reasons he would like to forget.

Colm Lock, of Milford on Sea, was hit by an egg during an anti-government rally outside the Conservative Party conference in Manchester last Sunday.

But the 19-year-old university student has vowed not to be intimidated by people who resort to violence.

The protest against austerity was largely peaceful but some of the demonstrators appeared to get angry with a group of conference delegates who were watching the rally.

Mr Lock was hit on the forehead and left with yoke dripping down his face.

He is deputy chairman of the New Forest branch of Conservative Future, the largest political organisation in the country for people under the age of 30.

“My friends and I were watching the protest. We were taking a lot of abuse and then I was hit in the face by an egg,” said Mr Lock.

“I would never do that to a Labour Party member. It’s unnecessary.

“I refuse to be cowed by protesters who resort to violence as a first measure.”

Mr Lock is thought to have been targeted because he was carrying a copy of the Sunday Telegraph with a photograph of Margaret Thatcher on the front page.

The demonstrators became even more agitated after he appeared to wave the newspaper in their direction.

But witnesses say Mr Lock kept his cool and was smiling as he was hustled away by security guards trying to protect the delegates.

Fellow Milford residents have condemned the assault while praising Mr Lock for the dignity he displayed during the incident.

One man praised his behind-the-scenes support for Milford events such as Food Week.

He added: “He is polite, considerate and bright – and whatever side of the political divide you sit, his dignity in handling the situation has to be admired.”

Jack Rickard, chairman of New Forest Conservative Future, said it was “highly amusing” to see a good friend hit in the face by an egg.

But he added: “It shows the continued hate some members of the left wing cohort continue to have of our party and its members.”

Mr Lock went to Priestlands School in Lymington and Brockenhurst College.

He is currently studying at Manchester University and stood as a candidate in the city council elections in May, losing to Labour’s Matt Strong.