Charles Kennedy has urged Welsh voters to focus on the benefits of having Liberal Democrats working in partnership with Labour in the devolved executive.

The Lib Dem leader extolled the benefits of cooperation as his party seeks to retain in office after the May 1 assembly elections.

Welsh Labour is keen to gain enough seats to form a majority administration in the assembly, with first minister Rhodri Morgan making it a key election aim.

The Lib Dems' record in office in Scotland and Wales is one of the party's major selling points nationwide.

But much will hinge on the performance of Plaid Cymru - whose strong performance in the inaugural assembly elections prevented Labour securing an outright majority.

The campaign has seen the Welsh Lib Dems move away from criticising Labour in a bid to be seen as part of a governing team.

Highlighting the free bus passes given to elderly voters the party accepted that "credit is due to Labour for this policy".

"Liberal Democrats have never claimed to have a monopoly of good ideas and we have always preached the advantage of partnership," said candidate and Welsh party president Rob Humphreys.

During a visit to Wales Kennedy sought to highlight his party's role in the assembly's successes.

"The assembly has delivered a real difference to Wales," he said during a campaign visit.

"Most of these changes - student grants, free school milk and free dental checks for the under 25s - are directly attributable to the Welsh Liberal Democrats."