Charles Kennedy last night received a strong endorsement from his predecessor Sir Paddy Ashdown.

At a party rally in Bristol he said the new leader had got off to a flying start in the election campaign. "I cannot remember an election in recent years which has started better," he said.

Sir Paddy's comments come amid polls suggesting that Kennedy has performed better than William Hague and Tony Blair since the election was called over a fortnight ago.

Ashdown also warned that up to a third of voters may not vote due to political disaffection with the political system.