0022 Saturday night/Sunday morningSunday's plethora of polls give varying suggestions as to which parties are losing and gaining ground. However, they all agree on one thing - that the Tories are in front. But, with analysts still pointing to a hung parliament as the most likely outcome, expect politicians of all colours to sacrifice their lie-in to rally to the party cause. With Nick Clegg back from a relaxing day with the family, David Cameron still in high spirits after celebrating his sister's wedding and Gordon Brown buoyant after his brush with "The King", it promises more interesting stuff. We'll bring you all the twists and turns throughout the day.

2326Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg will not be prepared to "prop-up" an "irrelevant" Gordon Brown, even if Labour has the largest number of seats after the election, according to The Sunday Times.

2301The Mail on Sunday features a photograph of David Cameron's "Kiss for Sis" - the Tory leader congratulating his youngest sister Clare on tying the knot. According to the paper's headline, his sibling will be returning the favour on 7 May. It reports that polls suggest he's "at the door" of No 10.

2230More than 45 TV stars use a letter in the Observer to attack the Conservatives' plans for the BBC. Comedians Harry Enfield, Jo Brand, Eddie Izzard and former Dr Who star David Tennant are among those who accuse the Tories of "attacking the BBC to serve the interests of its commercial rivals". Shadow culture secretary Jeremy Hunt has expressed "serious reservations" about the BBC Trust's role as both regulator and cheerleader but has pledged to maintain the current licence fee agreement which runs to 2012.

2158More on the Foreign Office apologising for a document that has suggested things the Pope could do on his trip to Britain. Apparently, it was the result of a brainstorm, and was marked "not to be shared externally". It also included the idea the Pope could launch a helpline for abused children. Britain's Ambassador to the Vatican, Francis Campbell, has met senior officials of the Holy See to express the government's regret at the document.

2153 Geoff Wake, Derby writes: I'm confused by Cameron's idea that on 6 May I'm electing the prime minister. I thought I was voting for my MP. I always understood that they would select their party leader and consequently the PM. Does he want to be president? If so, can we have two votes?

2143 nigelmugamu tweets from Edinburgh: I am now curious. Who is Gordon Brown? What's he all about as a person, really?
Read nigelmugamu's tweets

2140The Sunday Telegraph has obtained a document which says Foreign Office officials suggested the Pope's forthcoming visit to Britain should be marked by asking him to open an abortion clinic, bless a gay marriage and launch a range of Benedict-branded condoms. The Foreign Office has apologised for the "foolish" document, and the individual responsible has been transferred to other duties. Foreign Secretary David Miliband is said to have been "appalled" upon hearing about the document's contents.

2129David Cameron is refusing to rule out reforming the UK's first-past-the-post voting system, according to the Observer. It says the Tory leader's stance "has left open the possibility of a coalition with Nick Clegg's Liberal Democrats".

2116The Conservatives have their guns blazing straight back in Labour's direction. They have unveiled their latest poster campaign, featuring David Cameron - sleeves rolled up in front of a rallying crowd - with slogans like "Let's scrap ID cards" and "Let's restore discipline in schools". The party are putting up 2,200 of the posters on billboards across the UK.

2108First sight of the morning's papers shows Gordon Brown coming out fighting against the Tories, despite Labour's gloomy opinion poll outlook. He tells the Independent on Sunday: "Cutting child tax credits while giving inheritance tax cuts to the richest - how can you tolerate that level of unfairness? It makes me angry."

2050Lord Mandelson has some colourful advice for Labour supporters considering switching their vote to the Lib Dems. "You might start flirting with Nick Clegg, but that way you will end up marrying David Cameron," he tells the Sunday Mirror.

2027badbaz83 writes: Haven't seen anyone from any party around here. In fact, I've only had leaflets from Conservative and UKIP. Not what I'd call a "visible presence". Have your say

2002In answer to someone questioning via Twitter who came up with the idea of using an Elvis impersonator at Labour's rally - and calling for them to be sacked, Alistair Campbell admits: "Mine... Loved it. Don't have official position so can't sack myself." He says he's avoiding Labour HQ tomorrow - but only because he'll be watching Burnley try to beat Liverpool in their bid to stay in football's top flight. Read campbellclaret's tweets

1927Harriet Harman is spelling out Labour's credentials for political change - saying Labour has devolved powers to Scotland and Wales, set up a Mayoral system in London and will look at changing the voting system. Lib Dem Simon Hughes says Labour is not truly committed to change to make the system more fair. The Conservatives' Theresa May says what people really want is greater transparency in politics but that a hung parliament would lead to "deals behind closed doors".

1920The last of the Sunday paper polls we have for you at the moment is from YouGov for the Sunday Times, also pointing to a hung Parliament. The survey puts the Tories on 35% (up two on last week), with the Lib Dems down one on 28% and Labour down three on 27%.

1910An ICM poll of 1,020 people for the Sunday Telegraph has the Conservatives on 35% (up two points on last Sunday), Labour on 26% (down two) and the Lib Dems on 31% (up one).

1857Comedian Ed Byrne admits he "can't believe he's saying it" but that he's finding the election campaign "exciting". With most audience applause, laughter and reaction banned by the TV debate rules, however, he says it "sounds like a tough gig" for the leaders.

1850BNP leader Nick Griffin tells Newsnight his use of military imagery while campaigning is aimed at drawing attention to the fact that British troops are dying abroad and that they should be withdrawn from Afghanistan.

1837A few more big hitters are getting the Jeremy Paxman treatment on a Newsnight election special. But at least he's giving Labour's Harriet Harman, Theresa May for the Conservatives and Lib Dem Simon Hughes the chance to have a go at each other too. They're aruging about the dangers - or benefits - of a hung parliament at the moment.

1822The next poll to come out is from ComRes for the Independent on Sunday and Sunday Mirror. It also puts the Tories in first place, but on 34% (down one), followed by the Lib Dems on 29% (up two) with Labour third on 28% (up three).

1811The Sunday newspapers have begun releasing their opinion polls to the news media. An Ipsos-Mori poll for the News of the World suggests "Clegg-mania" may be on the wane, with the Lib Dems on 23% (down nine), Labour second with 30% (up two) and the Conservatives in the lead on 36% - up four.

1806Labour may have wheeled out a fake Elvis but the SNP have got a real star - long-standing supporter Sir Sean Connery - on board. His voice features on one of the party's YouTube campaign videos, entitled "I'm a Nat". In the video, which also features Braveheart actor James Cosmo and Monarch of the Glen's Martin Compston, the James Bond legend tells voters: "On May 6th, don't just vote for a politician - elect a local champion."

1734Five leading cancer experts have written a joint letter challenging the parties to explain how they will cut waiting times for diagnosis and treatment. The signatories have not expressed any political allegiance, although the letter was distributed by the Labour Party.

1721"Has the Lib Dem bubble burst?" asks Fraser Nelson, in the Spectator. He reports tomorrow's Ipsos Mori/News of the World poll, which puts the Tories on 36%, Labour on 30% and the Lib Dems on 23% - broadly where all three parties were pre-debates. Those figures would still leave David Cameron short of a majority, but the Spectator says they're still "the best news he's had since the first TV debate".

1714"Our whole political culture is in crisis and the absence of visible women politicians is a symptom as well as a cause," writes Anne Perkins, in the Guardian. But she says that if current polls are anything to go by, there should be slightly more women in Parliament on 7 May, perhaps up to 23%. "Not quite measurable on the Richter scale of political upheaval, but progress," she adds.

1706A slightly whimsical one for you now. A tea caddy, once owned by the founder of the Labour Party, James Keir Hardie, has been sold at auction today. The object, given to him during a visit to India in 1907, went for £1,300 - more than three times its expected price.

1655George Osborne says the Conservatives will "be explaining the clear choice on the economy at this election" in the week ahead. In an e-mail to Tory supporters, he says they'll also be saying more about "why a hung parliament would bring economic paralysis that would put the recovery at risk".

1645"There is a very real danger the economy could fall back into recession," says Lib Dem Treasury spokesman Vince Cable. "The Conservatives' so-called efficiency savings are particularly dangerous," he says. "They have no clue where or how these 'efficiencies' will be made, making it likely they will be nothing more than a smoke screen for job cuts."

1634Brand consultant Mary "Queen of Shops" Portas has given her fashion-conscious take on the party leaders' debate appearances. Nick Clegg, she says, is "like Ugg boots - the brand that no one thought would be a success". Of David Cameron, she says "people are now buying status stories, not status symbols - he could tap into that by coming across as this wonderfully classic English guy". Finally, when it comes to Gordon Brown, she says: "I don't quite understand why he is standing on one leg, or those smiles, but I liked his pale blue shirt with the cut-away collar."

1622R Smith, in Oxford, writes: Brown appears to have copied a Bill Clinton speech! The PM said, "There is nothing wrong with Britain that cannot be dealt with by what is right with Britain" and this is a total copy of Bill Clinton's first inaugural address, when he said, "There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America."

1614"In which parallel universe was this deemed a good idea? How was it allowed to happen? What kind of planning meeting at Labour HQ gave the green light?" Those are the words of an utterly bemused Iain Martin, of the Wall Street Journal, on the Elvis stunt.

1606Thanks to one eagle-eyed reader I've realised that in my haste to bring you all the latest, breaking election news I accidently misplaced the constituency of Camborne and Redruth in Cambridgeshire. It is, of course, in Cornwall. Sincere apologies.

1555"The more of David Cameron people see, the less they like," writes Jon Bernstein, in the New Statesman. He's quoting poll figures suggesting a successive decline in Mr Cameron's popularity after each debate. "Any more of this and the Tories will have lost one of their key electoral assets: David Cameron's 'X-factor'. Indeed, it may already be lost."

1546Commentating on Elvis's performance, Gordon Brown said with a smile: "Elvis - style and substance." The BBC's Iain Watson has also been giving his thoughts about "this most bizarre of election events".

1538Conservative Party chairman Eric Pickles tweets: Labour's celeb guest, dead and buried just like their election campaign, actually this Elvis has more life than their campaign. John Prescott's response: To be fair, there have probably been more sightings of Elvis than either Osborne or Grayling in this election!

1529"The public must be fed up with Labour's scaremongering. A Conservative government will not stop you seeing a cancer specialist withintwo weeks," says shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley, hitting back at claims made by Gordon Brown at a rally earlier. "In fact, because we will increase health spending and cut out waste in the NHS, we'll be able to help you get the care you need even more quickly," he adds.

1516"Mr Clegg, I believe, sees no reasons other than historical ones why the modern Labour Party should even exist," writes Matthew Parris, in the Times. On a personal level, he thinks Nick Clegg "cant stand" Gordon Brown. And on the subject of any kind of coalition, he adds: "It's only a guess, but I would put my laptop into the Magimix if he did anything to put Gordon Brown back into Downing Street."

1511ManUnitedWAG tweets: Vince Cable as chancellor? He was chief economist at Shell Oil and with today's petrol prices, what does that tell yer?
Read ManUnitedWAG's tweets

1506Labour have accused the Conservatives of "secretly planning to decimate the economy" of Northern Ireland. They were responding to comments made by David Cameron who said it was the first place he would pick out as being in need of cuts to the public sector. Labour's Shaun Woodward said the remarks were proof that "the Tories just don't care about the future of Northern Ireland".

1455"Desperate times call for desperate measures, they say. On to the stage then came Labour's latest secret weapon: an Elvis impersonator. It really was quite bizarre. I have not been able to verify reports that... Brown will adopt the King's little-known 1971 single I'm Leavin' as his personal theme at remaining campaign events," blogs Jonathan Isaby at conservativehome LeftWatch.

1445David Cameron won't be replying to any of Gordon Brown's attacks today, he's celebrating his sister's wedding. Meanwhile, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg is spending some quality time with his three sons, who had been stranded after their Easter break with their Spanish in-laws. No such luck for the PM. He's tackling questions on policing, community halls and teaching from his audience.

1437The prime minister thanks the people of Arnold, in the Gedling constituency, for their volunteer work. But he says community groups need government help. "There is nothing wrong with Britain that cannot be dealt with by what is right with Britain," he adds - swipes at the Conservatives' Big Society and Broken Britain themes.

1429Gordon Brown is addressing supporters in Arnold, Nottinghamshire, where he has been signing copies of Labour's manifesto. No sign of "The King" this time - now that would be an autograph hunter's dream.

1419Lord Mandelson hits back at the Tory proposals to force anyone who becomes prime minister mid-way through a parliament to hold a general election within six months. He suggests that would have meant Sir Winston Churchill - who entered Downing Street as the head of an all-party government when Neville Chamberlain resigned in May 1940 - holding an election at the height of the Second World War. "This proposal seems to have been thought up over this morning's cornflakes," adds the Labour peer.

1339"This election campaign, has demonstrated the raw power of live television. It has also painfully exposed the dwindling credibility of the red-top press," writes Ian Burrell, media editor of the Independent. He's talking about the Sun and the Daily Mirror's verdicts on Thursday's debate - entirely to fit their own allegiances. He believes the rules of the game have changed and "such a selective, emphatic approach is flawed, when millions see these occasions for themselves".

1326Bit of a slip-up from the UK Independence Party. They've misspelled Camborne with an extra "u" - wrongly making it "Cambourne" - in a campaign poster in the Cambridgeshire constituency.

1313Would the real Elvis have backed Gordon Brown and Labour? Well, after a quick bit of research, it's not clear. He described himself as an admirer of Democratic President John F Kennedy, but reportedly asked to join the FBI while it was cracking down on political activism. He might not have liked Lib Dem plans for a mansion tax, given his ownership of Graceland, or the 50p rate of tax for high earners introduced by Labour. If anyone else can shed any light on whether Elvis would have had blue, red or yellow suede shoes, let me know.

1303The Daily Telegraph reports that a golf club in Cambridgeshire has installed giant wooden targets of Gordon Brown and David Cameron for members to aim at on the driving range. "At the moment there are more dents on Brown than Cameron", says managing director Peter Durham. So far he's left out Nick Clegg because he's "too nice", but conceded he may eventually include him for the sake of ''political fairness''.

1257A colleague just pointed out the irony that on that day when we learned that Gordon Brown plans to meet more "real people" during the rest of the election campaign, he ends up shaking hands with an Elvis impersonator.

1250"Planting seeds, that's what the Tories are doing - they're planting the seeds of a Lib-Con alliance. Yes, it's a subtle process, and is couched in terms of denial and defiance. But it's still going on." That's the feeling of Peter Hoskin, of the Spectator magazine. He cites a refusal by David Cameron, speaking to the BBC, to rule out having Nick Clegg in his cabinet, and comments from Ken Clarke, to the Daily Telegraph, that the "starting point" for coalition negotiations would be the economy.

1245The prime minister has been persuaded to come back into the hall to the strains of The Wonder of You. He seems to be enjoying himself and has just shaken hands with "Elvis". Earlier, the King sang Suspicious Minds which he dedicated to Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg, reports the BBC's James Cook.

1232"I think there's going to be a new phase in the election campaign now, where people are going to focus on what the different political parties say and ask very practical questions: 'Who's going to help me, who's going to help my family?' says Nick Clegg. He tells the BBC that Lib Dem policies on tax, education and affordable housing provide "the practical hope that I think so many people are looking for".

1227The Western Mail reports a warning from Welsh Secretary Peter Hain to what it calls "Lib Dem flirters". "My message to Labour voters is be very, very, careful what you wish for, because if you do vote Lib Dem you will end up with a Tory MP," says Mr Hain.

1218Matthew, in London, writes: Good to see David Cameron getting found out by Jeremy Paxman yesterday. He couldn't give a single concrete answer on efficiencies, job cuts, structural deficit figures, VAT commitments, percentages OR Nick Clegg! Excellent. Watch it on iPlayer and make up your own minds!

1210All is revealed - the mystery guest at Labour's NHS rally is an Elvis impersonator. A slight let-down if I'm honest. The first line of his song - "A little less conversation, a little more action please" - is definitely election-appropriate. Gordon Brown has left the building though, so he doesn't get to enjoy the "celebrity" endorsement live.

1200Robert Spaull writes: I am fed up with political parties claiming they are responsible for everything good the NHS does. Over the past 13 years treatments have moved on, drugs have been developed. The main thing Labour has done has introduced all these targets and statistics gathering so they can boast about it. The NHS is brilliant, but largely despite the politicians not due to them.

1152"There is no part of the United Kingdom that is safe from what the Tories would do" in terms of public sector cuts, says Gordon Brown. He's also talking about his own experience of the NHS when he lost the sight in one eye as a teenager, but doctors saved the other eye. He praises the "care, hospitality and friendliness" of the staff and says there was also an "unexpected bonus for a 16-year-old" when a nightly trolley came round the ward offering free beer.

1144"I'm a father before I'm a politician," says Nick Clegg. He's speaking outside his home about taking a day off from the campaign to see his three sons who've been stranded in Spain by the ash cloud. He says "of course you cant govern on an anti-politics platform" - as Foreign Secretary David Miliband has accused the Lib Dems of trying to do - but "you can can govern on a platform of doing things differently".

1133"The Conservatives would set back cancer diagnosis and undermine the doctors that have the courage to propose change," says Health Secretary Andy Burnham. He tells a Labour rally in Corby that he doesn't want to "overclaim" credit when it comes to the NHS, but believes "we have taken what was a poor service in 1997 and made it a good service for the overwhelming majority of people". He says a new Labour government would go further and make it "a great service", focused more on preventative medicine and personalised treatment.

1128"Your heart might say Clegg, but vote with your head", writes Polly Toynbee, in the Guardian. She says "all progressives are stuck with the same old choice" and on 6 May must do "what best keeps the Tory out where you are". She adds: "It's low tactics, not high romance."

1116"Increasing respect for other people, increasing understanding of the environmental crisis that we're in and making sure that the key public services remain accessible to everybody when they need them" - Liberal Democrat Simon Hughes tells the BBC what he wants to see over the next five years.

1106The Conservative plan to require unelected prime ministers to face a general election within six months of taking office is clearly a dig at Gordon Brown, says the BBC's Chris Buckler. But, of course, former Conservative PM John Major also entered Number 10 without a public poll when he took over from Margaret Thatcher in 1990. The Tories point out that he did later win a general election, but it wasn't within six months.

1100The stage is set for Labour's event in Corby and Mr Brown has just entered with wife Sarah. The now familiar image of an idyllic-looking cornfield dominates the backdrop behind the lectern. We're expecting the prime minister to start speaking soon.

1053"You should hold office because the people have voted for you, not because your party has stitched up some kind of deal," says David Cameron. He's outlining a plan to introduce legislation that would require any prime minster who takes office without the public's direct backing - as Gordon Brown did - to face an election within six months.

1048Gordon Brown, meanwhile, has arrived in Corby, Northamptonshire. He'll be holding a "Vote NHS" rally shortly and is expected to be joined by Health Secretary Andy Burnham.

1044Mr Cameron is now giving a speech in Thurrock. Tieless and with sleeves rolled up, he asks the crowd: "Will we get real change from another five years of Gordon Brown?" "No!" they reply. "Will we get real change, change you can count on, from a hung Parliament?" "No!" comes the answer again.

1039David Cameron has arrived at a school in Thurrock, Essex. He's walking inside the grounds at the moment, surrounded by school children wearing t-shirts emblazoned with "DC10" and "Big Society".

1036The US administration is worried about the prospect of a hung Parliament or coalition government in the UK, says Stryker McGuire, of Newsweek magazine. He tells the BBC that the US is hoping for a UK government strong enough to take tough action on the fiscal deficit and financial regulation. In a weak government, the fear is that fringe elements opposed to change can hold too much sway, he adds.

1025The Daily Record says David Cameron made an "admission" during a grilling by the BBC's Jeremy Paxman on Friday night "that Scotland would be one of the places where Tory cuts would bite the hardest". He also picked on Northern Ireland specifically, saying "the size of the state has got too big" there.

1015"My long-held theory is that every pub's a Parliament, that the real politics of this land are discussed in pubs" - so says UKIP's Nigel Farage. He was talking to pub trade magazine the Morning Advertiser, so you might expect him to give that sort of endorsement - but he says he wants "to fight, raise a voice and, if I can, to try and help" beleaguered landlords struggling to stay in business.

1006David Cameron will take a break from the campaign later today for his younger sister Clare's wedding. And the Tory leader has a lot to thank his sis for - it was Clare who first introduced him to his future wife Samantha many moons ago.

0956Commenting on reports that Labour is rethinking its campaign style, the prime minister says "you always have to up the tempo" during the last few weeks before polling day. Mr Brown says he believes he's "always done the right thing" meeting people and will carry on meeting more. In a speech today, he's also expected to say that the International Monetary Fund backs Labour's approach to cutting the deficit, reports the BBC's Iain Watson, who is travelling with the PM.

0951William D McCormick, from London, writes: Why in the run up to the general election has there been no coverage of the homeless situation in this country? Have the politicians forgotten there is a problem?

0941"Clegg's caught zeitgeist by doing nothing today. Sunny outside. Doing the same", tweets Kevin Maguire, of the Daily Mirror. The Lib Dem leader has been talking to his paper too, revealing that his sons are his biggest fans, but wife Miriam takes a more balanced line. "She gives me a good earful about what I've done right and wrong," he says.

0931Independent candidates give angry voters an alternative to choosing an extremist party or none-of-the-above, says Martin Bell, who himself stood an independent on an anti-sleaze ticket in 1997. He says he hopes at least six independents can be elected this time "as a force for good and honesty" in the House of Commons.

0919Cartoon time now. Matt, in the Daily Telegraph, shows a would-be MP on a voter's doorstep. She says: "Politics needs to change. After a week I've had enough of Nick Clegg." In the Times, Morten Morland shows Mr Clegg gradually transforming from a suited politician to a lycra-clad cartoon hero. He says, "Politics needs me! Voters believe in me! I'm different, I am Supernick!"

0911Meliden tweets from Penarth: Note to Lab re its new election strategy: An "ordinary voter" ceases to be such if they are "hand-picked" Ordinary voters beware.
Read Meliden's tweets

0900In the first debate, Nick Clegg performed with the freedom of a cricketing tail-ender, batting like someone not expected to score any runs, says Ed Smith, cricketer turned Times leader writer. Established opening batsmen Gordon Brown and David Cameron always had the most to lose. But expectation changes everything. By the second innings, Mr Clegg's opponents had studied his batting style and were no longer sending down easy full tosses.

0851"He's seen the Labour manifesto. He's seen the Conservative manifesto. But he's keeping us all in the dark and he's creating an element of uncertainty," shadow culture secretary Jeremy Hunt tells BBC Radio 5 Live. He's talking about the Lib Dem leader, and isn't happy that at the moment the debate "isn't about the people deciding who the next prime minister is, it's about Nick Clegg deciding who the next prime minister is".

0842Gordon Brown is being urged to be more dynamic in his campaigning after feelings were expressed by some within Labour that his style has been somewhat lacklustre so far. They want Mr Brown to be more relaxed, to spend more time meeting and chatting to ordinary voters, rather than taking part in staged events with activists, reports the BBC's Iain Watson.

0833First suggestion for the VIP rumoured to be appearing at Labour's NHS rally later - Bob Dylan. If so, which song might he sing? Presumably not "The Times They are A-changing".

0825"If you keep yakking on about whether you're going to work with other parties, don't be surprised if the public thinks that's the issue," says former deputy Labour leader John Prescott. "I don't want to talk about whether you hug Nick Clegg," he tells BBC Radio 4 - in his own inimitable way. "I believe that we want a strong government", not a hung Parliament or a coalition, he adds, urging Labour to go out and "fight" for victory on the doorsteps.

0818"It's an 'ooh la la' moment in British politics," says Agnes Poirier, journalist at French newspaper Le Nouvel Observateur. "A few weeks ago it seemed to be 'au revoir Gordon, bonjour David," she tells BBC Radio 4's Today programme, but now everything has changed.

0805"We are talking big. I mean mega. Could be highlight of campaign" - so says former spin doctor Alastair Campbell, referring to a rumoured special guest at today's Labour rally. He says it's "one of my heroes" - so, naturally I was about to suggest Tony Blair - but apparently, the mystery person was "John Lennon's hero too". Not sure TB can claim that. Any suggestions, please let me know!

0759Unelected prime ministers - who could he mean by that? - should commit to an election within six months of taking office, David Cameron will say later. He'll be outlining plans for electoral reform and will promise to legislate to prevent a repeat of Gordon Brown's takeover from Tony Blair without any public say in the matter.

0749Gordon Brown is expected to use today's "Vote NHS" rally to accuse the Tories of threatening to reduce the health service to a "sub-standard" organisation. He'll claim they want to get rid of guarantees on maximum waiting times for operations and cancer test results, and cut out-of-hours GP provision.

0739Good morning and welcome to today's live coverage of all things election. A word on what the leaders are up to today. Gordon Brown is expected to attend a public services rally in Northamptonshire. For his part, David Cameron is heading to Essex to talk about electoral reform. Finally, Nick Clegg is taking the day off to spend some time with his three young sons who've been stuck with relatives in Spain because of the ash cloud.

2355While Saturday's newspaper polls make for happy reading for the Conservatives, the Financial Times offers some good news for the Lib Dems, saying they are attracting the votes of "abashed bankers". Meanwhile, the Times suggests Gordon Brown is bidding to revamp Labour's campaign by adopting a more high-profile role and taking the fight to his opponents. So, while Nick Clegg stays at home with the kids and Samantha Cameron digs out her best hat to accompany husband David to his sister's wedding, the furious campaigning continues. We'll be bringing you all the election developments on Saturday, starting with the BBC's breakfast interviews.

2311At least one paper is taking a break from all this election malarkey. Perhaps fed up with using mugshots of the three main party leaders on its front page, the Independent's editors opt for an impressive image it describes as "the universe: as imagined by Galileo, as seen by Hubble". It's still managed to achieve some political balance, though. The photograph of star-birth region Carina Nebula - taken by the giant space telescope - features shades of red, yellow and blue.

2252A second poll suggests the Conservatives have a five-point lead over the Lib Dems. The Harris poll for the Daily Mail puts the Tories up three points since Monday on 34%, compared with 29% for the Lib Dems - down one - while Labour remain third on 26%.

2241The row over claims in campaign leaflets continues on the front page of the Sun, which says Gordon Brown has given the "green light to election Labour lies". The PM said during Thursday's TV debate that he had never authorised material implying the Tories would scrap benefits for the elderly.

2225The Daily Telegraph leads with the headline: "Tories plan for a coalition." It reports shadow business secretary Kenneth Clarke as saying the starting point for a Conservative minority government dealing with other parties would be to tell them "you have got to control the deficit and debt" and refuse to compromise.

2213The Guardian reports that at one point Mr Miliband said: "Look, you've punished us enough about Iraq." Whether the anti-war protesters are ready to bury the hatchet may be another matter altogether.

2207A peek at tomorrow's front pages shows it's Labour's turn to take aim at the Lib Dems, with the foreign secretary accusing Nick Clegg of peddling a form of "anti-politics". David Miliband tells the Guardian that Clegg's core argument "that we have had 65 years of failure in this country" is a myth and claims a Labour vote is the "only way to keep progressive politics governing this country".