Rhodri Morgan, Peter Hain and supporters launch the campaign

Mr Morgan acknowledged that it would be hard to capture voters' attention while war continues in Iraq.

But, he said, that was why Labour was highlighting 10 promises on everything from the abolition of prescription charges to free swimming for older people.

"The background of the Middle East makes it more difficult than ever to get attention to politics," he added.

"Therefore the bread and butter promises this morning are the ones we hope will penetrate."

Crime-fighting fund

Labour unveiled its "10 steps to a stronger Wales" in advance of the publication of the full manifesto next week.

The party hopes to gain an overall majority in the assembly after the 1 May election.

At present, it has 28 of the 60 seats and is in coalition with the Liberal Democrats.

Welsh Labour's pledges Abolition of prescription charges Free school breakfast Free swimming for over-60s �100m crime-fighting fund

Its other policies include the creation of a �100m crime-fighting fund, money to allow primary schools to provide free breakfast to all children, and the scrapping of home care charges for disabled people.

Labour also promised to extend free bus travel for the over-60s and disabled people, and to offer half-price bus fares to 16-18-year-olds.

'False rumours'

Pensioners and disabled people already have free bus travel, but Mr Morgan said it was included among these pledges because of "false rumours" by political opponents that it would be ended.

Labour said prescription charges would be abolished over the next four years, but Mr Morgan said he could not yet be specific about how it would be phased in.

The new scheme would cost �31m annually, although Labour said that did not take account of potential savings through cutting administration.

The promise of free breakfast for primary school children would cost �16m a year, but would depend on whether head teachers and governors wanted to implement it.

Labour said it would not make schools participate, but it believed that the benefits were so clear that few, if any, would refuse.

The party said it would also help to tackle poverty and be part of its welfare-to-work policy.

Welsh Secretary Peter Hain said he hoped some of the policies would be inspected by the Westminster government with a view to being introduced elsewhere in Britain.