Would-be PM targets party's one-hope district in county

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The Tory leader headed to the party's one hope of winning a seat in South Yorkshire – the new constituency of Penistone and Stocksbridge – where he addressed residents in a tiny rural village hall yesterday.

Carefully positioned before a backdrop of young parents with photogenic babies and youngsters in tow, Mr Cameron pledged to do more for schools and education despite the "difficult funding decisions" which he admitted lay ahead.

He also revealed a "contract" the Tories have sent to millions of households in target seats which sets out 16 key pledges, challenging voters: "If we don't deliver our side of the bargain, vote us out in five years' time."

Labour has a notional majority of 8,617 in Penistone and Stocksbridge, making it a massive task for the Tories to overturn but the Conservative leader said he was confident it could be done.

Earlier this week, Mr Cameron campaigned on different days in Labour seats Batley and Spen, and Morley and Outwood.

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg was back on home turf in Sheffield as he sought to maintain momentum in the Liberal Democrat campaign by addressing the crowd at the World Snooker Championships, at the city's Crucible Theatre.

Mr Clegg, who has seen support for the party soar since he was deemed the winner of the first televised debate a fortnight ago, received a mixed reception, with some spectators apparently anxious to get on with the snooker.

Speaking to reporters outside, Mr Clegg, who is fighting to be re-elected in Sheffield Hallam, accused Gordon Brown and Mr Cameron of seeking to "treat people like complete fools" over immigration.

He is hoping to quell anxiety over his own plans to allow illegal immigrants who have been in the UK for 10 years and want to work to become citizens.

"There are lots of people who haven't decided how they are going to vote," he said.

"I think many people now see this campaign is wide open. It's one of the most exciting campaigns in a generation and that we can do something different."

Tony Blair hit the election trail for Labour as he sought to revive the party's flagging campaign with only five days left.