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As you enter the auditorium of the Conference Centre in Liverpool there is a sign which warns members of the public that "special effects will be in use throughout this session including loud noises and explosions."

Not surprisingly, it's prompting a wry smile among many of the delegates to the Liberal Democrats Conference.

Yes they are in power for the first time in 70 years and that is something to celebrate, but there is also a deep sense of trepidation about the price the Lib Dems may pay for being in coalition with the Conservatives and putting their name to painful spending cuts.

"It's a bit like having a really good meal" says Mark Pack of the Liberal Democrat Voice website. "You want the chocolate pudding but you know you have to eat your broccoli first".

And in our region in particular there is a lot of unease. The Lib Dems are strong here in local Government and know they face a roasting at next year's local elections.

So the aim of the party leadership is to convince activists that being in Government will pay dividends, even if it means short term pain.

Norman Lamb, the MP for North Norfolk and political advisor to Nick Clegg was one of the first to address the conference. "Already we are making Britain a more liberal and fairer country," he said .

"This is a great opportunity for our party and one we should celebrate."

Expect to hear this message repeated again and again during this conference.

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