Greens overtake Lib Dems in poll

The Green Party have overtaken the Liberal Democrats in a pre-election poll.

Research for Conservative peer Lord Ashcroft put the party on a new high of 8% - up three points and just ahead of the Lib Dems on 7%.

The result is likely to fuel calls for the Greens to be included in plans for pre-election television debates.

The survey gave Labour a three-point lead over the Tories, 31% to 28%, with Ukip on 18%.

One thousand adults were interviewed by telephone between October 17 and 19. The results were weighted to represent all adults in Great Britain.