LIBERAL Democrat big-hitter Simon Hughes threw his weight behind Mike Thornton’s by-election campaign.

The party’s deputy leader was in Eastleigh to give party campaigners a pep talk, before heading out on the streets of the borough to canvass voters.

Mr Hughes addressed supporters at the Lib Dem headquarters, in Shakespeare Business Centre, Hathaway Close, yesterday afternoon.

His visit came hot on the heels of senior Lib Dem Vince Cable, who rolled into Eastleigh for the third time on Thursday.

Party leader Nick Clegg has already been to the constituency twice, visiting the technical skills centre at Eastleigh College last Monday, before talking to youngsters at the Dynamo School of Gymnastics a week ago.