Media coverage of the election is well down on the 2001 campaign according to a survey published in the Guardian.

Research, carried out by Loughborough University, shows that between April 4 and 11, during which time the parties launched their manifestos, the election was given less than half the amount of front page space in the red-top tabloids than was the case in 2001.

Among the mid-market tabloids - the Mail and the Express - the lack of interest was even more pronounced, with less than a quarter as much front page space devoted to politics.

And broadcasters, who are aiming to rouse the public's interest in the campaign more effectively than last time around, have devoted around 10 per cent less airtime to the election during their main evening bulletins.