Election 2015 in pictures: 30 March
- Published

The sun rises over the statue of Sir Winston Churchill at Westminster after the dissolution of Parliament, which marks the official start of the UK general election campaign.

A morning spruce-up at 10 Downing Street.

The pavement outside the prime minister's London residence receives the close attention of a council road sweeper.

Early arrivals on the doorstep included Larry, the Downing Street cat, and Bailey, a police sniffer dog.

The parade of animals continued with a fox putting in a brief appearance.

Ed Miliband, the Labour leader, leaving his home to launch his party's business manifesto.

Outside the Bloomberg European headquarters where Mr Miliband was speaking, protesters dressed as Alex Salmond, of the SNP, criticised any possible government involving Labour and the nationalists.

Mr Miliband made a promise to "return Britain to a leadership role" in Brussels.

Nigel Farage, the UKIP leader, arriving in Westminster after appearing on the ITV Good Morning Britain programme.

Mr Farage was mobbed by journalists as he delivered his message, saying that UKIP offered a "completely distinctive plan from the other political parties".

The media await David Cameron's first public appearance of the day, to travel from Downing Street to Buckingham Palace to inform the Queen that Parliament has been dissolved.

Mr Cameron leaving Downing Street on his way to the Palace.

Nick Clegg, the leader of the Liberal Democrats and deputy prime minister in the coalition, en route to the Cabinet Office after speaking to reporters. He went to Buckingham Palace, after Mr Cameron had been, to see the Queen in his capacity as Lord President of the Council.

Once back in Downing Street Mr Cameron spoke to the press, saying the election was "about moving forward after five years of effort and sacrifice". The prime minister suggested voters faced a "stark choice" between the Conservatives and Labour.

In Glasgow, SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon met potential voters at a shopping centre.

Col Geoffrey Godbold, Common Cryer and Sergeant-at-Arms of the City of London, reading the proclamation of the dissolution of Parliament outside the Royal Exchange.