FORMER Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown arrived in Cornwall to help kick-start the party's election campaign.

Lord Ashdown joined Cornish Lib-Dem MPs and prospective parliamentary candidates in a bid to galvanise support.

Lord Ashdown is a well known face in the Westcountry, having been Yeovil MP from 1983 to 2001 and party leader for 11 years until 1999.

He said the Lib-Dems had a good track record in Cornwall and would continue to offer the county a real voice.

"Only the Lib-Dems will give Cornwall a fair deal. Our strong team of local MPs has a real record of action in delivering change that has already made a difference," he said.

"On healthcare, housing and water bills, it's Lib-Dem MPs who have a record to be proud of. Now it is only the Lib-Dems who have the ideas for a fairer future for Cornwall.

"My message is simple. Don't just listen to the promises, look at the record. You don't have to be a brain surgeon to know where, for the best interests of the Westcountry, you would be best to put your vote."

The Lib-Dem team paid a visit to St Columb Minor Primary School, in the new constituency of St Austell and Newquay, to highlight pledges for a fair deal for Cornwall schools.

Lord Ashdown was joined by Lib-Dem South West campaign leader Julia Goldsworthy, MP for Falmouth and Camborne, North Cornwall MP Dan Rogerson, Steve Gilbert, PPC for Newquay and St Austell), South East Cornwall PPC Karen Gillard and Terrye Teverson, PPC for Truro and Falmouth.

The team was met by members of the student council who showed them a number of activities including games, stalls and sports.

Mr Gilbert said his party offered real hope for Cornwall.

"The Lib-Dems are the only party at this election who offer the real change that Cornwall needs," he added. "The Conservatives are touting the myth that a Conservative MP in Cornwall will be able to put our case at the heart of Government, but the last time Cornwall had a Conservative MP and a Conservative Government we got the most unfair deal we ever had.

"They left us with the highest water bills in the country, under-funded schools and a housing crisis that lingers today.

"We are offering real change on the issues that matter. An extra £22 million for Cornwall's schools, a fair tax system that would take an extra 20,000 people out of income tax altogether and investment in much needed local infrastructure."