Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg both visited the Streatham constituency over the weekend as the battle for the parliamentary seat at the general election intensified.

Both parties now see the constituency as a key election battleground, bringing in the big guns in a bid to tip the balance their way when voters go to the polls on Thursday.

Mr Brown attended a church service with Chuka Umunna, Labour’s parliamentary candidate, on Sunday at the New Testament Church of God in Lambert Road, off Brixton Hill, while Mr Clegg spoke with Lib Dem candidate Chris Nicholson at The Palace Project on the Palace Road estate in Streatham Hill on Monday.

The leaders' appearances follow high profile campaigning in the area last week from Foreign Secretary David Milliband and deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman. Lib Dem Home Affairs spokesman Chris Huhne met businesses in Tulse Hill and Streatham last week.

The high profile appearances appear to be to bolster campaigns in an increasingly close election race Odds of a Lib Dem victory at the election in Streatham have been cut by bookmakers Coral since the start of the election campaign, virtually halving the candidate Chris Nicholson's odds of 11-4 to 6-4.

Meanwhile, the odds of Labour candidate Chuka Umunna keeping the party's normally safe seat, that had a majority of more than 7,000 at the last election, have been cut from 1-4 to 1-2.

On Monday Ladbrokes had the battle at a dead heat, with both candidates at odds of 5-6 to win.

Mr Brown used his appearance to address the church's congregation, paying tribute to faith groups and Britain's black and minority ethnic communities and their contribution to British society.

Mr Clegg answered questions from the community about his policies, including help for low income families.

Elsewhere in the election, Labour's Tessa Jowell looks set to keep her seat in her Dulwich and West Norwood constituency where she had a 8,807 in the last election, although her odds have been slightly reduced, from 1-8 to 1-6.

Voters will also decide on Thursday who will represent them at a local level on Lambeth Council, a race that is also expected to be close. Labour is defending a majority of nine seats from the other parties, but a swing in votes of under 400 could see Labour lose its majority.

Six of their seats, one in Clapham Town, two in Herne Hill and three in Knights Hill were won by margins of less than 85 votes.

Don't miss full coverage of the General Election - as it happens - on Thursday.