Ford Escort 1800 1995 Intermitant starting problem?

My 1995 Escort 1800 petrol (covered 100,000 miles), has an intermitant starting problem. If it dos,nt start first time, it has to be left an hour or so then it will usually start. In cold damp weather, sometimes it is really difficult to start, (the battery is new, and spins the engine over at a reasonable speed )

Any ideas?

W Robertson.
January 2010