Colchester's MP Bob Russell led the first debate of the Lib Dem conference in Blackpool.

The party's sports spokesman presented a sport policy paper in Bournemouth.

He said he wanted to get sport firmly on the political agenda so sportsmen and women could get a better deal than they do currently.

"I want the Liberal Democrats to be regarded as the best party for sport, at all levels and for all interests," he added. "Sport is not just for those who excel it is for everybody."

He said the issue was increasingly important as a medical time-bomb was ticking, with the nation's health deteriorating because of a lack of general fitness.