Mike German launched the document at a school

The document, Trust in Wales, has three key themes - delivering better healthcare, improving schools and "making the Green Switch for Wales".

Labour claimed the Lib Dems were "soft on crime" and intent only on working with the Conservatives after May.

But the Liberal Democrat assembly leader Mike German said the party was a growing force.

Mr German launched his party's "pre-manifesto" in Pontnewynydd School near Pontypool, where the pupils have been celebrating gaining an International Green Flag award for their work on environmental issues.

LIB DEMS 'BIG IDEAS' A minimum standard of service within the NHS More teachers in the classroom 500 extra police community support officers More new, affordable houses for local people

Handing over his Christmas cards to the school's recycling project Mr German said his party would aim to provide smaller class sizes - 25 on average in primary schools - improved school buildings and strong anti-bullying measures.

They would also look to the future and aim to put Wales "at the cutting edge of the green revolution, empowering communities and families to take action".

He admitted that targets like ensuring a 30% renewable energy supply for Wales by 2020 and 100% by 2050 were challenging but could be reached.

The party's third priority is to "put patients first" by delivering a more modern ambulance service, more efficient GP out-of-hours services and A+E units working together for a better service.

But there was no explanation how the Lib Dems would pay for their policies, only an assurance that all the costings will be spelled out clearly in their final manifesto to be published after the Spring conference in March.

'Silly season'

Meanwhile, Welsh Liberal Democrats leader Lembit Opik said he has the support of his party following media coverage of his relationship with Gabriela Irimia - one half of pop duo the Cheeky Girls.

The Montgomeryshire MP's new relationship received widespread press coverage over the Christmas period and Mr Opik was also taunted by MPs when he spoke in prime minister's questions in the House of Commons last week.

But speaking on BBC Radio Wales' Richard Evans programme on Monday, the Lib Dem MP said the "silly season" was over and he did not want to talk about his private life.

He said: "It's flattering to have been the Christmas story but I think we need to move on from that now.

"Let's recognise that the silly season's over and we do have elections in four months' time."

Mr Opik said it was "pretty obvious I have the support of my party," adding that he believed voters were more interested in policies than in politicians' private lives.

Mr Opik went on to talk about warnings from some Labour politicians that the UK was under threat of breaking up.

He added: "I don't think the UK is on the verge of breaking up - I guess this is early electioneering.

"The Lib Dems have always said give Wales the same kind of powers the Scottish Parliament has - but we don't support the break-up of the UK because we think Wales' interests are best served in the UK itself."