The agent for Central Devon Lib Dem hopeful Phil Hutty has said the lack of any high-profile visits from party grandees would not have adversely affected his campaign.

Phil Page made the claim shortly after midnight as the count in Okehampton entered its second hour. Not once during the run up to tonight's ballot did Mr Hutty have the opportunity to canvass with any of the big party names.

His counterpart in Newton Abbot however, Richard Younger-Ross, had three visits from former leader Paddy Ashdown and another from Baroness Shirley Williams.

Asked why Mr Hutty had not been similarly treated Mr Page's first response was 'no comment'.

He went on to say that whatever his party's reasons had been his candidate had fought hard to the end. 'Phil had a plan and he stuck to it throughout,' he said. 'I don't think not having any high-profile visits would have made a difference anyway.'

According to Mr Page the start of the count had been 'disappointing' but then 'picked up' as it progressed. 'I'm pleasantly surprised, we're getting good results from Mid Devon, the Crediton area, although not so good perhaps in the villages.'