Michael Howard will today continue campaigning before returning to his constituency to vote.

Tories are hopeful that they can outperform the opinion polls - believing they are doing better in the marginals.

Speaking last night, the visibly tired Tory leader said the country was being given the opportunity to "open a new chapter of hope, of action and achievement".

Writing in the Telegraph, Professor Anthony King, however, predicts the Conservatives "face catastrophe" with the prospect of a 110 Labour majority.

Writing in the FT meanwhile, James Blitz says there is "no chance" of the Conservatives winning a 2009 general election if the party does not break free from the low 30s in today's share of the vote.

And the Times says that alarm is growing in Tory ranks amid signs that important seats in the South West of England are under threat from a last-minute surge in support for the Liberal Democrats.

Lib Dem activists have flooded into target seats including New Forest East, Westbury in Wiltshire, Bournemouth East and Dorset North.