Mid Dorset and North Poole MP Annette Brooke described Sir Menzies Campbell's decision to quit as leader of the Liberal Democrats as "unselfish".

She told the Daily Echo: "I didn't vote for Ming Campbell but I have come to greatly respect his leadership."

The Liberal Democrat spokesperson for children, young people and families, added: "I have been deeply shocked at the ageism which has been shown by the media towards him and I am sorry that this had an influence on his success as a leader.

"However, his unselfish decision to stand down at this point, now that Gordon Brown has ducked out of an early election, will result in a great opportunity for some of the many talented people in our parliamentary party to come forward.

"It should enhance our chances of a real breakthrough in the next General Election."

Cllr Claire Smith, Bournemouth council's Liberal Democrat group leader, said: "I'm not surprised because I thought Ming would step down once Gordon Brown decided to cancel a snap election."

Her husband, Cllr Richard Smith, told the Echo: "He wasn't the person I supported in the last leadership battle.

"I didn't think they treated Charles Kennedy very fairly in the first place. Ming Campbell was good on foreign and defence affairs but he didn't have the media presence.

"By stepping down, he has done the honourable thing. He wants to give someone else the opportunity to move the party forward - that shows the character of the man."

The Liberal Democrats will announce a timetable for appointing a successor to Sir Menzies Campbell on Tuesday.