Liberal Democrats have targeted the "grey vote" as part of the final stage of their election campaign.

The party published its manifesto for older people on Thursday with a pledge to increase the basic state pension by £5 for all retired people.

Party leader Charles Kennedy also promised a pension rise of £10 for the over 75s and £15 for people aged over 80.

His party will also campaign for free long-term care and a flexible age of retirement.

Legislation would also be put to parliament to end discrimination on the grounds of age.

"Every pensioner in Britain has the right to be treated with dignity and respect and to enjoy safety and security in old age. But all too often the needs of pensioners and older people have been overlooked or ignored by the government," Kennedy said.

He attacked the record of the two main parties. "After 18 years of Conservative cuts, pensioners deserve better from Labour than long hospital waits, selling their homes to pay for care, fewer bobbies on the beat, inadequate public transport more Post Office closures, miserly pension increases and more means-testing."

At the morning press conference in London, Kennedy also highlighted the falling number of people who are joining political parties and the rise of single-issue organisation. "There are lessons to be learnt from organisations such as Friends of the Earth. If two million people join the RSPB, what does that say about politics?"

He denied rumours that the Liberal Democrats were only fighting 10 per cent of seats in the election. "We are fighting for every vote in every seat and to increase our vote share," Kennedy said.