LIB DEM BIG GUNS PADDY AND SIMON HEAD FOR ST ALBANS

12.44.10pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 3rd May 2010

Hot on the heels of polling guru Bob Worcester's comment in this Sunday's Observer that "the impact of Clegg's post-debate surge throws up a tough decision for Labour voters in St Albans", and Ladbrokes shortening the odds to evens for a Liberal Democrat victory in St Albans, two of the Liberal Democrats' biggest guns are heading for the city.

Today (Monday), veteran Liberal Democrat campaigner Simon Hughes will be on the streets of St Albans with his distinctive orange London taxicab, made famous from his great Bermondsey by-election victory.

Then on Wednesday 5th May - the eve of poll - former Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown will be doing a walkabout in the market, starting at 9.30 am, and finishing with a stump speech to local supporters outside the Alban Arena at approximately 10 am.

Sandy Walkington said, "I am delighted to be getting these visits from two of the leading players in the Liberal Democrat national campaign. I helped Simon in his great Bermondsey by-election win. And Paddy and I go back to the days when we were fellow Liberal candidates in 1983. He was guest speaker at the St Albans Liberal Democrat annual dinner held immediately after my selection in 2006 and promised then to come up for the General Election. I am thrilled he has been able to keep his promise.

"It is becoming increasingly clear that there is the scent of a great Liberal Democrat victory in St Albans this Thursday."