Peter WalshFormer Liberal Democrat party president Simon Hughes arrived in Norwich yesterdayto add his support to Simon Wright's quest to become Norwich South MP.Peter Walsh

Former Liberal Democrat party president Simon Hughes arrived in Norwich yesterdayto add his support to Simon Wright's quest to become Norwich South MP.

Mr Hughes, who is the national Liberal Democrat spokesman for energy and climate change, joined Mr Wright, Lib Dem candidate for Norwich South, on the campaign trail at Norwich Railway Station before a meeting in the city with party members at which Mr Wright was formally adopted as the party candidate.

Mr Hughes said: 'This is a very good chance for us as we know it's a seat where we've been closing the gap. There's been boundary changes which makes it an even better bet and gives the voters a chance to cast their vote on 13 years of the Labour Party - we've got very high hopes.'

Mr Hughes said Mr Wright was a 'Norfolk lad' who lived and worked in the city and who could benefit the people of Norfolk by working hard on issues like ensuring the A11 gets dualled, working with the University of East Anglia on tackling climate change in the region as well as nationally and on delivering a fair tax deal for all - particularly low income families.

Mr Wright said: 'I'm grateful to Simon for coming here. He has supported me and supported the party in Norwich and Norfolk and supported Norman Lamb before he was elected. It's great to have him here.'