Election canvassers claim their campaign bus was almost forced off the road in a highspeed attack.

Police were called to the incident yesterday on the A27 dual carriageway near Eastbourne by supporters of the Liberal Democrats, who feared for their drivers safety.

Although he was alone on the bus, he was due to have taken up to 50 journalists to an appearance in Eastbourne by Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy, who pulled out at the last minute.

The driver told police a car cut dangerously in front of him.

A police motorcyclist spoke to both parties at the scene but decided to take no further action.

Front-bencher Sir Menzies Campbell was drafted in to replace his leader, who had been called at the last minute to the unveiling of the national police memorial in London.