NICK Clegg was widely touted as the winner of the country s first-ever leaders TV debate and local Lib Dems are feeling the positive effects of his surge in popularity. Lib Dem candidate in Hampstead and Kilburn Ed Fordham quickly put out leaflets hailin

NICK Clegg was widely touted as the winner of the country's first-ever leaders' TV debate and local Lib Dems are feeling the positive effects of his surge in popularity.

Lib Dem candidate in Hampstead and Kilburn Ed Fordham quickly put out leaflets hailing the leader's win over David Cameron and Gordon Brown in the first of three American-style leaders' debates aired on ITV last week.

He said the win was a very

useful jolt of energy. "We are doing well here but this gives everyone a renewed confidence," he said. "Nick came over as a

person who you can like and trust.

"He is the only party leader people are talking about on the doorstep."

The party leader, a recent visitor to the Ham&High offices, has penned a special election column for the paper ahead of tonight's second debate which will be broadcast on Sky. Gordon Brown and David Cameron have also been invited to address readers.

In neighbouring Holborn and St Pancras, Lib Dem candidate Jo Shaw, said: "People are sick and tired of the old two-party system - they can't see the difference between them any more. Nick's performance and ability to communicate did us proud.

"What it will mean in

two-and-a-half weeks time I don't know. There is a long way to go but this is really very positive."

In Hornsey and Wood Green MP Lynne Featherstone is fighting to keep her seat from Labour, whom she ousted in 2005. She said: "It is wonderful and it is very hard to find a grumpy Lib Dem at the moment. It has given us a boost but we are keeping our feet firmly on the ground and campaigning every day.