LIBERAL Democrat leader Nick Clegg issued a rallying call to supporters as he visited the home of Hampshire cricket.

Speaking in support of Eastleigh candidate Mike Thornton at the Ageas Bowl he said he was confident the party would retain the seat at the General Election on May 7.

Speaking to local party members he said that despite polls pointing to a hung parliament which could see his party form another coalition it was up "the people", not his party, to decide who would form the next government.

With Eastleigh a key battleground where the Lib Dems face a challenge from the Conservatives and UKIP, he said: "We will win again, we will campaign like no other party knows.

"Winning is in our DNA."

Referring to the party's dramatic by-election win in February 2013, he said his party was now fighting "60 by-elections".

He visited the newly-finished hotel at the Ageas Bowl, and praised the Lib Dem-run council for "reducing council tax in‎ real terms" and investing in services and developments to bring in jobs.

It is the second time Nick Clegg has visited the Eastleigh consitituency during the run-up to this general election.