Welsh Liberal Democrats in Brighton turned their attention to a battle closer to home on Tuesday.

With just months until the assembly elections, Deputy First Minister Mike German said the LibDems were "the driving force in the Assembly Government."

In his speech to the party's conference in Brighton, he said it was his party which has made the difference in shaping policies in Wales.

Click here to read Mr German's conference speech in full

The Lib Dems, he went on, could claim the credit for cutting class sizes in junior schools, free dental checks, and tackling poverty.

For example, it is easier to acquire a digital hearing aid in Wales - something Mr German maintains is due to the assembly's coalition government.

But some his coalition partners were always unlikely to take kindly to Mr German's claims that it is the Lib Dem tail that wags the Labour dog.

Not surprisingly, a Wales Labour party spokesman dismissed his claims.

"It's the Labour partnership in the assembly and Westminster that got Wales a record investment in public services, not the LibDems," he said.

"Rhodri Morgan's cabinet are delivering real benefits for the people of Wales, and everybody knows these are Labour achievements."

Leader of the Conservatives in the assembly, Nick Bourne accused Mr German of "spreading lies and untruths".

"Listening to Mike German today, I was filled with disbelief and complete confusion as to how he had the complete audacity to stand-up in public and say such blatant lies," he said.