ELECTION hopefuls will be hoping to persuade voters to back them at a series of hustings across south Essex.

South Basildon and East Thurrock candidates will be revealing their election pledges at hustings where you will get your chance to grill them on how they will serve you, should they get elected.

The event will be taking place for South Basildon and East Thurrock at St Gabriel’s Youth and Community Centre, in Rectory Road, Pitsea, tonight from 7pm for a 7.30pm start.

Currently confirmed as attending are Reetendra Banarji, for the Liberal Democrats, Tory Stephen Metcalfe and Peter Whittle from Ukip.

Labour’s Byron Taylor, BNP’s Paul Borg and Green candidate Simeon Harman are also bidding to become MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock.

Rayleigh and Wickford candidates will be coming to Holy Trinity Church, in Hockley Road, Rayleigh on Saturday from 8pm until 10pm, doors open at 7pm.

Conservative Mark Francois, Labour candidate Mark Daniels, Ukip’s Peter Smith, Liberal Democrat Ron Tindall and Green Party candidate Paul Hill are vying for your votes and will be on hand to answer questions.

Basildon and Billericay candidates Tory John Baron, Labour’s Kayte Block and Liberal Democrat Antonia Hastings will be at Holy Trinity Church Hall, 71 Wickhay, Basildon on Sunday, June 4 from 7pm for a 7.15pm start bidding to get your votes.

St Peter and St Paul Grays Parish Church will be hosting a hustings, in conjunction with the Echo’s sister paper, the Thurrock Gazette, in the build-up to next week’s General Election.

Conservative Jackie Doyle-Price, Labour’s John Kent, Ukip’s Tim Aker and Liberal Democrat Kevin McNamara will be taking questions from you on Monday from 7pm.

Gary Pearson, Gazette editor, said: “This is such a good evening for residents. It is important for people to hear first-hand what those wishing to represent them have to say about the key issues. And it gives residents the chance to meet all of the candidates under one roof.

“Politically it was particularly eventful two years ago, and this time around it promises to be just as lively.

“The crossing, education, health and infrastructure will all be on the table. The Gazette is proud to be co-organising these hustings once again with the church.”

To make sure you get your question in, please send it along with your name and home town to maurice.richmond@nqe.com