LIBERAL Democrat leader Charles Kennedy was due to launch his party's UK manifesto today.

The 20-page magazine-style document A Real Chance For Real Change, outlines plans to raise income tax by a penny to pay for additional investment in education, health and the police.

The party promises thousands more nurses, doctors and midwives paid for by income tax rises.

Mr Kennedy says patient waiting times would also be cut in the £3 billion package.

The party's proposals to alter the way Wales and Scotland are funded - in favour of Wales - also feature prominently in their UK-wide manifesto. The Welsh manifesto will be launched on Thursday.

Yesterday Welsh Lib Dems were accused of using underhand tactics after launching an election website in Plaid Cymru's name.

The "cybersquatting" row broke out on the day Plaid launched their manifesto, urging an upgrade of the Assembly into a "proper parliament", and radical plans to tax the rich to give Wales greater spending power.

The web site - www.plaid-cymru.co.uk - gives reasons for Plaid voters to switch their support to the Liberal Democrats.

The Liberal Democrats are also sending letters to all Plaid voters persuading them to change.

The website brought an angry response from Plaid Cymru. A party spokesman said: "This is underhand and an acknowledgement that Plaid is the only credible alternative to New Labour in Wales."

But Liberal Democrat AM Jenny Randerson said: "We make it absolutely clear who has published this website. It is a modern response from a very modern party to the demands of website campaigning.

"There is no difference from putting out a leaflet targeting Conservative or Plaid Cymru voters. All parties do it and this is perfectly legitimate information."