Urging his party to support "innovative" solutions to Britain's problems, Sir Menzies Campbell has secured his first policy victory.

The new Liberal Democrat leader won the support of activists for a plan to partially privatise the Royal Mail.

Last autumn's conference in Blackpool saw the proposal rejected, an embarrassing rebuff to then leader Charles Kennedy who was accused of failing to give a clear lead on the issue.

But as the Lib Dem spring conference continued on Saturday, the policy was formally endorsed.

Sir Menzies had said: "Keeping 51 per cent of Royal Mail in the hands of the government and of employees is in line with our long-held Liberal beliefs in employee share ownership.

"I believe this motion captures our ability to tackle difficult issues head-on, developing innovative liberal solutions to challenges, which the other two parties refuse to face."

Selling off 49 per cent of Royal Mail will raise £2bn to modernise Post Office branches, the party argues.

Having been elected leader on Thursday, Sir Menzies was given a warm welcome by party members gathered in Harrogate.

He told activists he was "ambitious for Britain" and for the party he now leads.

"Our party has always been the most intellectually innovative in British politics," he said.

"We need fresh ideas and new thinking."