Liberal Democrat members have elected Simon Hughes as their new party president.

The MP for Southwark and Bermondsey, who has in the past stood unsuccessfully to be party leader and London mayor, picked up 71 per cent of the postal ballots.

Less than half of those eligible voted in the contest between Hughes and Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Lembit Opik.

Hughes said it was "an honour, privilege and pleasure to be elected as president of our great party".

"Working with Charles Kennedy and Menzies Campbell, my immediate aim as party president will be to follow up our success in Brent and Leicester by helping Jody Dunn win the forthcoming Hartlepool by-election," he added.

"I will then work flat out for a big increase in Liberal Democrat seats at the next general election, to increase our membership to overtake Labour's, and grow our party's resources, appeal and votes to make the party fit for the purpose of government."

Party leader Charles Kennedy welcomed Hughes' election saying: "I am pleased to send my congratulations to Simon on his election to the presidency of the party.

"He has been an excellent constituency MP for the last 21 years and I know he will serve the party with the same commitment and enthusiasm as president.

"I look forward to working with Simon and continuing the progress Liberal Democrats are making in British politics," he added.