CANDIDATES vying for the marginal Bolton West parliamentary seat were grilled by shoppers — at a hustings held in a supermarket.

The event took place in the cafe of the Asda superstore in the Middlebrook and was chaired by Bolton News politics reporter Liam Thorp.

The candidates on the panel were Labour’s Julie Hilling, Chris Green of the Conservatives, Liberal Democrat Andrew Martin, UKIP’s Bob Horsefield and John Vickers of the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition party. Independent candidate Andy Smith was unable to attend.

The debate was organised by Asda as part of its pre-election activities which has seen a number of Question Time-style events held in key marginal constituencies.

Bolton West is the sixth closest battleground in the country, with just 92 votes separating Labour and the Conservatives.

The debate began with the chair asking questions provided in advance by audience members on topics including NHS provision and how to improve the lives of people in the constituency.

The debate was then opened up to the floor and audience members asked tricky questions about the number of homeless people in Bolton and the amount of social housing being offered to local residents.

Immigration was a hot topic for debate and saw members of the panel clash on the question of how much of a strain is put on Bolton’s infrastructure by accommodating immigrants.

Blackrod resident John Price, aged 70, was in the audience for the debate and said he found the event “informative and enjoyable”.

He added: “It was excellent from start to finish and it was very well conducted and controlled.

“I thought that all of the candidates put their points across well and were concise and to the point with their answers to questions.

“I wouldn’t like to say who I thought came across better but I would say that I could see why two of the candidates are looking most likely to be our next MP.”

Mr Price said that after the debate he spoke to a man who had been undecided on who to vote for beforehand.

He added: “He told me that the debate had helped him to make up his mind, so that just shows how worthwhile it was.”

The General Election will be held on Thursday May 7.