Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron has praised former prime minister Tony Blair in a conference speech aimed at winning over Labour voters.

Farron said it his party that can provide "strong opposition" to the Conservative government, unlike Labour who have "left the stage" under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership.

He praised the former Labour leader but said he opposed Blair's stance on the Iraq War and the introduction of ID cards.

Farron said he admired him for increasing investing in the NHS and for the introduction of a national minimum wage.

He joked that like the Manchester band The Stone Roses, he "preferred the early work".

The Lib Dem leader said: "I respect him for believing that the point of being in politics is to get stuff done, and you can only get stuff done if you win".

Farron delivered his speech while walking on stage, instead of standing behind a lectern.

The MP also said his party will raise taxes if it is the only way to provide the country's health service with more funding.

He said: "We need to face the hard truth that the NHS needs more money - a lot more money - not just to stop it lurching from crisis to crisis but so that it can meet the needs and the challenges it will face in the years ahead."

Farron added: "If the only way to fund a health service that meets the needs of everyone is to raise taxes, Liberal Democrats will raise taxes."

The Lib Dem leader also used his speech to repeat his call for a second referendum on the UK leaving the EU to be held after the final deal is known.

The Liberal Democrats lost 49 seats at the 2015 general election.