LIBERAL Democrat leader Charles Kennedy faced a storm of protests from environmentalists when he visited Winchester in the run-up to next month's local and European elections.

About 20 green protesters ambushed him to complain about the loss of meadowland when he arrived at the newly opened park-and-ride extension at Bar End.

The protesters, bearing placards saying "Lib Dems Out", told Mr Kennedy they were disgusted that a political group that claims to be concerned about the environment could allow a wildflower meadow to be lost.

A slightly bemused Mr Kennedy calmly told the group he firmly believed in environmentally friendly policies and that park-and-ride was one way to cut down traffic pollution.

One of the protesters was Conservative councillor Fiona Mather, who was criticised by Euro-MP Chris Huhne for taking part in the protest, given that it was Conservative-controlled Hampshire County Council which had pushed through the Bar End scheme.

From Bar End, Mr Kennedy made his way into the centre of town on one of the new park-and-ride buses.

Winchester MP Mark Oaten and scores of Liberal Democrat supporters bearing orange placards met him in the centre of the city, before he went on a walkabout to meet and greet local people.

After sampling a coffee from a vendor in the city's market, Mr Kennedy then went on to meet young offenders doing community work at the Holy Trinity Church on Upper Brook Street.

He said: "It's important to come to Winchester at this time just before these very important elections.

"Winchester is part of a heartland of support for the Liberal Democrats and it's vital that as part of the build-up to the elections we make sure we can count on that support.

"But we are not complacent about this and we know that there's a lot of work to do."