Michael Howard intends to abandon the traditional "battle bus" in favour of a helicopter during the forthcoming election campaign.

The Conservative leader is also set to spend every weekend in his constituency - a sign he is concerned about the Liberal Democrat "decapitation strategy".

Charles Kennedy's party is targeting Tory frontbenchers' seats including Howard's 5,907 Folkestone and Hythe majority.

On Wednesday the Tories outlined their media election strategy, indicating they believe a May 5 poll is virtually certain.

Party co-chairman Liam Fox said that in contrast to Labour, which is abandoning daily London-based press conferences, the Conservatives will run a briefing at 8.45 each morning at their Westminster headquarters on every day of the campaign.

Fox said Howard and relevant frontbenchers would brief journalists every morning before embarking on helicopter trips to target seats to outline the theme of the day.

The party chief said two call centres were already operational in London and the Midlands, and that "unlike Labour, this will be an issue based positive campaign, in contrast to their negative tactics".

And he repeated his challenge to Tony Blair to engage in a "leaders TV debate".