Two Labour election candidates in Norfolk have received donations from a former Liberal Democrat peer - but not the county's two sitting Lib Dem MPs, according to the Financial Times.

Lord Oakeshott, a former Lib Dem Treasury spokesman, resigned from the party last year after leading a failed coup attempt to oust party leader Nick Clegg.

The FT reported that the peer gave a total of £600,000 across 46 marginal seats, with beneficiaries including Labour candidates Jessica Asato in Norwich North, and Lara Norris in Great Yarmouth, both of whom are standing against sitting Conservative MPs.

In contrast, Liberal Democrat MPs Simon Wright, in Norwich South, and Norman Lamb, in North Norfolk, did not receive any money.

Speaking to the FT, Lord Oakeshott said: 'Many Lib Dem and Labour candidates tell me the Tories have spent over £100,000 campaigning against them, even before the official election campaign — and spending limits — started in December.

'I've taken a leave of absence from the Lords and am just a non-party social democrat now, but I want to help save our country from a Tory government cringing to Ukip.'

He supported Lib Dems in some other seats, as well as the Green Party's only MP, Caroline Lucas.