AS the country entered the final days of campaigning before the EU referendum this Thursday, Swindon residents hungry for information had the chance to ask questions at a drop-in session.

It was a busy Saturday morning at the Orbital retail park, but not everyone was there to shop. Some headed to North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson’s office where both the in and out campaigns were represented.

“It’s an opportunity for residents to get information,” said Mr Tomlinson. “It is not a debate or a hustings.”

“We have had hundreds come through the door. Some have already made up their minds, most haven’t and most have come with very specific questions that are important to them.”

The main aim was to provide answers and encourage people to use their vote.

It had gone so well he was hoping to organise similar events in the future over big issues.

Immigration was one of the biggest issues, but security and the effect on the NHS were also on people’s minds.

One of the visitors, Colin Irvin, had more or less made up his mind which way he was going to vote but went along because he still had questions.

“It has cemented my views on which way I’m going to vote,” he said. “I felt that the Remain campaign lacked conviction to be honest.

“I don’t think there is any merit in any of the costings either side put forward, but I’m a great believer in our democracy, that we should be able to set our own rules and that we should be able to go out in the world and negotiate our own deals.”

Asked about people’s unhappiness with the EU Alex Hegenbarth, who was backing the campaign to stay in, said argued that it was a political issue. He believed people should be encouraged to get more involved with European politics.

“It’s about who we are as people. Are we quitters or are we going to get stuck in?”

He said one of the main questions he had been tackled with was immigration. People wanted to know how it was going to affect their family. But he pointed out the largest group of migrants heading to the South West was from the South East.

Swindon South MP Robert Buckland later echoed the call for people to use their vote. “This is a once in a generation opportunity to register our view about Britain's future in Europe. “If we vote to leave, there is no way back but if we vote to remain, then we will continue to advance the peace and prosperity of our country and our continent.” He urged: “Whatever your view, please have your say and vote.”