LIB Dem parliamentary candidate Lizzie Jewkes claims disillusioned Tory voters are turning to her party following Nick Clegg’s performance in last week’s TV leadership debate.

Lizzie, 52, from Whitby, Ellesmere Port, said: “We were targeting Labour voters thinking we would pick up lots of support from Labour but we are now campaigning in Tory areas and when we go out delivering leaflets people come out of their houses and ask for posters.”

Lizzie believes the Lib Dems’ positive approach compared with the negative campaigning of Labour and the Conservatives is what the electorate has found refreshing.

Last time around the Lib Dems came third after Labour and the Tories and Lizzie hopes the apparent surge in support will stand her in good stead.

By contrast, Tory candidate Stephen Mosley, 37, from Westminster Park, says the TV debate is not a major issue on the doorstep.

“We haven’t noticed it locally, not as many people mention it as you would think,” said Mr Mosley. “David Cameron went there to be positive and that’s what he did.”

Mr Mosley, former deputy leader of Chester City Council, is confident of his chances.

“If we keep up the work and get everybody to the polling stations then yes,” he said. “We are the only ones putting the work in.”

Labour candidate Christine Russell, 65, from the Garden Lane area, didn’t see the debate because her TV is broken but welcomes the interest generated in the democratic process.

Accepting Gordon Brown is not a TV performer, she added: “The more negative aspect is that it can become a personality contest rather than a real debate about the issues and the policies of the parties.”