I THOROUGHLY enjoyed the ITV election leadership debate. It gave the participants an opportunity to shine, if they could rise above their opponents.

For me, David Cameron was fluent and competent, if somewhat guarded and defensive. Ed Miliband was earnest but very manufactured and as ever struggled to connect with his audience by trying too hard. Nick Clegg was typically slick and comfortable, as he was in the 2010 debates, and Nigel Farage was confident and as ever controversial.

If anyone really impressed though it was SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon. If there was ever a question mark over her ability to fill Alex Sammond's shoes, there isn't now.

Will it influence voter intentions significantly? May be not, but Ms Sturgeon's confident performance did her party a power of good and Labour's prospects in Scotland appear to be fading fast.

John Crick, Bishop Auckland.