AS Liberal Democrats fight to retain their seats at the General Election a spread betting firm is predicting that Conservative Michelle Donelan will take Chippenham from Duncan Hames on May 7.

Mr Hames was welcoming Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg to Ivy Lane Primary School, Chippenham, today.

But Sporting Index doesn't believe Mr Hames will be returned for a second spell in Parliament.

Ed Fulton, of Sporting Index, said: "Though Lib Dem Duncan Hames was elected with a majority of over 2,400 votes, it looks likely that he will lose his Chippenham seat to Tory challenger Michelle Donelan on 7th May.

“Liberal Democrats across the country are fighting tooth and nail to hold on to their seats, but are coming under immense pressure from the Tories, especially in the South West were Torbay and North Cornwall are still close to call – and North Devon looks lost already.

“Coupled with Labour taking Lib Dem seats in London, and the SNP wiping out Scottish MPs from all parties, it looks grim for Nick Clegg and Co.

"However, Sporting Index expect the Liberal Democrats to win 24 seats on polling day, which many might regard as a fantastic result all things considered.”

Sporting Index has settles  individual constituency 'markets' on a ‘Win 25 Index’ with the winner will be allocated 25 points, the second place will be allocated 10, and all others will be allocated 0.

In the case of Chippenham, Liberal Democrat Duncan Hames is trading at 14 with Conservative Michelle Donelan at 21.

'Buying' a £1 stake in Ms Donelan with Sporting Index - at a total of £21 - would return a profit of £4, if she wins.

However, if she should finish second to Mr Hames the backer would lose £11.