15:36

Tim Farron had continued in the fine but niche tradition of Lib Dem leaders climbing aboard hovercrafts on the campaign trail, taking the orange vessel for a spin in Burnham-on-Sea.

Farron and Wells candidate Tessa Munt made a series of u-turns on the beach, though avoided taking the hovercraft out to sea. The vessel was captained by volunteers from BARB, the local search and rescue operation.

“We’re leaving the EU, so no health and safety,” Farron joked as he climbed into the hovercraft.

Farron is the latest of a number of Liberal leaders to use the transport as an election stunt. The former Liberal leader Jeremy Thorpe lead a rather more ambitious hovercraft expedition in 1974, touring the southwest coast on a hovercraft and disembarking to canvass the then-liberal heartlands.

Nick Clegg also took a turn in the Burnham-on-Sea hovercraft in 2008, before his rather more prominent about-turn in coalition as deputy prime minister.

Jessica Elgot (@jessicaelgot) We're being moved to a safe distance for Farron's hovercraft launch. Serious business. pic.twitter.com/oKIZtzQZZW