The leader of the Liberal Democrats has ridden a hobby horse as he launched its local election campaign.

Kingston MP, Sir Ed Davey wants his party to become the second biggest on England’s councils.

He told colleagues in Henley-on-Thames that May’s elections were a “two-horse race” between his party and the Tories in much of the country.

He also said his party was now the “natural home” for voters fed up with Labour and disappointed with its record in government so far.

The Lib Dems have 72 MPs, their highest ever, and are hoping to build on that success in elections to 24 of England’s 317 councils and mayoral authorities.