WINSFORD’S parliamentary candidates were grilled by a packed church at the town’s only hustings event on Sunday evening.

Hosted by Reverend Tim Hanson at Christ Church Wharton on Sunday, April 26, the candidates were given up to three minutes to convince a packed audience to vote for their party in the upcoming General Election on May 7.

Eddisbury’s five candidates: James Laing (Labour), Antoinette Sandbach (Conservatives), Ian Priestner, (Liberal Democrats), Rob Millington (UKIP) and George Antar (Cannabis Is Safer Than Alcohol) were in attendance on the night.

Andrew Garman (Green Party) was unable to make the hustings event due to family commitments, though was represented by Alice Brown, Green Party candidate for Winsford Over and Verdin Ward.

Labour’s Mr Laing promised to make Winsford his base if elected, and vowed to make sure he is the 'loudest voice' in Winsford.

Conservative candidate, Ms Sandbach, also promised to make Winsford the base of her Eddisbury operations if elected.

The candidates were quizzed on a number of key issues, national and local, including the NHS, the EU, foreign aid, affordable housing, faith and the future of the Winsford Neigbourhood Plan.

Discussing the issue of foreign aid, Ms Sandbach said it was important to 'maintain our commitment' as a nation.

However, UKIP’s Mr Millington said there are ‘key failings in key areas’.

Mr Antar, from Cannabis Is Safer Than Alcohol (CISTA), argued foreign aid is simply ‘being spent in the wrong places’.

Liberal Democrat’s Mr Priestner said future generations will 'pay the price' if the next government doesn't reduce the deficit.

Discussing Britain’s role in the European Union, Mr Laing said there would be 'serious consequences' if we left.

UKIP’s Mr Millington said the EU is directly 'undermining' NATO and the UK would be better off if we left.

The Green Party’s Ms Brown said while her party are pro-EU, the decision should be down to the people.

Ms Sandbach agreed that we need a referendum on the EU, saying there are 'clear problems’ with the current set-up.

The General Election is due to take place on Thursday, May 7.