Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has confessed to the "zany" pastime of collecting manhole covers.

Mr Corbyn said his drain-spotting hobby was something he had picked up from his mother, who had a keen interest in social history.

He said it was possible to tell a lot from a drain cover and explained: "If you walk around and look at drain covers, you will see in London MWB, Metropolitan Board of Works.

"That gives you the age range because Metropolitan Board of Works hasn't been around for a long time." The Metropolitan Board of Works disbanded in 1889 - it's work was taken on by London County Council.

He added: "Some of them are quite artistic. I know this sounds a little bit zany."


Image: Mr Corbyn has taken some criticism for his sense of style

In an interview with Lorraine Kelly for her programme on ITV, Mr Corbyn said the same could be said of Post Office telegraphs and tramways.

He said: "History is what we all live all the time and it's a kind of social history."

Mr Corbyn also told how his son had given him fashion guidance when he stepped out in shorts and socks that did not match and added that his friends and neighbours were constantly giving him sartorial advice.

The Labour leader also spoke about the Paris attacks calling them "appalling" and said that political settlement in Syria was key and not further bombing.