The Liberal Democrats' hopes of winning the Central Devon seat appear to be fading. Not long after his arrival and having consulted with colleagues candidate Phil Hutty did not attempt to talk up his prospects.

'It's disappointing, the Conservatives looked to have edged it,' he said. 'I'm immensely pleased that with only two months' campaigning behind me that I appear to have done relatively well.

'We've a good position to build on and I'm going to stick around.'