LIBERAL Democrat candidate Mike Thornton kicked off his campaign for Eastleigh with help from former party leader Paddy Ashdown.

The pair spoke to local party members and activists in the centre of town and gave speeches intended to inspire the efforts of campaigners.

Mr Ashdown, who is coordinating the party's national campaign, joked that he led the party when its support figures were represented by an asterisk.

He told the crowd at the bandstand: "The Tories outspent us but you can never out-campaign Liberal Democrats.

"They did everything but they lost, and I am asking you to do that again.

"Even after that disgusting speech by Nigel Farage the Tories will still not say they will not go into partnership with UKIP.

"This is the danger that we now see developing."

Mr Thornton gained a 1,771 majority over UKIP at a 2013 by election and will fight Conservative Mims Davies, Mark Latham of Labour, UKIP's Patricia Culligan and Ron Meldrum of the Green Party for the Eastleigh seat.

Mr Thornton won the seat at a by-election in 2013 following the resignation of Chris Huhne after he admitted perverting the course of justice and sentenced to eight months in prison.