A TESCO car park in Warrington would not seem the most obvious location for one of the decisive moments in a General Election campaign.

But on Friday the nation’s media descended on the Winwick Road supermarket as Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg made his first public appearance following the historic first televised leaders’ debate.

All eyes were firmly on the biggest name in politics after Mr Clegg took centre stage and wowed viewers during the previous night’s debate.

As TV cameras jostled for space he said to the assembled party activists: “Warrington is like many parts in the country, particularly the north, that has been let down by Labour.

“I say to the people of Warrington, where the Lib Dems are the only real challenge to Labour, do not let Labour let you down for the fourth time.”

He kicked off the first day of his rise to prominence as the new golden boy of politics with a visit to the Wolves Foundation at The Halliwell Jones Stadium with Jo Crotty, the Lib Dem candidate for Warrington South and Dave Eccles, Warrington North.

“The leaders’ debate was an important part in this campaign because it gave us the opportunity to speak to people sitting at home,” he said.

“We are now the party of fairness, whether it’s fairness in society, fairness in politics or fairness in economy. Fairness is the big idea, the big issue in this campaign.”

Shoppers were bemused to see a huge yellow battle bus taking up a large swathe of the car park along with satellite trucks beaming images from the event live around the world.

It was the second visit to Warrington in as many weeks for the Lib Dem leader but he admitted he was not claiming any right to the seat.

“I never take any single vote for granted. We fight very hard I think and every single vote we work hard for. I’m keen to support Jo Crotty and the Lib Dems in Warrington South,” he said.

And a joint Lib Dem/Conservative council in Warrington would also help the party’s vote here in the borough.

Mr Clegg added: “People are used to the idea that when they vote Lib Dem they get Lib Dem.”