David Cameron endured one of the great traditions of British politics today when he was hit by a flying egg on the campaign trail.
The Tory leader's trademark white shirt was splattered after a trainee bricklayer lobbed the missile on a visit to Cornwall.
Mr Cameron tried to laugh off the attack, saying: "He hit me square in the back, it was a good shot."
Referring to a chicken-suited Daily Mirror journalist who has been plaguing his campaign, he added: "Now I know which came first — the chicken not the egg."
The incident came as Mr Cameron visited Cornwall College in Saltash, near Plymouth. He was walking out of the college library after talking to dozens of young people.
Sixteen-year-old Tyler Dixon was arrested on suspicion of disturbing the peace. The hoodie-wearing teenager was later released because no complaint was made.
Three men pulled away Dixon, saying: "You can't do that to David Cameron." A police car arrived shortly afterwards.
Trainee midwife Emily Taylor, 24, saw Mr Cameron immediately after the attack and said he looked "pretty angry". Another witness said: "Cameron turned and walked out of the door and that's when the lad threw the egg. It hit him on the shoulder and some yolk went on his white shirt. He obviously looked quite shocked by the whole thing."
Fellow student Kelly May said: "I don't think many of the boys around here know much about politics."
A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "A 16-year-old student threw an egg but it didn't hit the intended target."
