The environment will be the focus of a special hustings organised in Royal Wootton Bassett on Monday.

The town’s apolitical environmental group has invited all four candidates standing in the North Wiltshire constituency to debate the issue and answer questions from the audience on the subject.

That invitation has been accepted by Labour’s Jon Fisher, Brian Mathew from the Liberal Democrats and Bonnie Jackson of the Green party. Conservative candidate James Gray, defending the seat, is not able to attend.

Recent research by polling organisation Opinium suggests more people than ever before have said the state of the environment and climate change will influence how they cast their vote.

Organiser of the debate Jason Cook said: “This is a great opportunity for the people of North Wiltshire to hear our local election candidates’ views on these incredibly important issues. We look forward to seeing you there.”

The event starts at 7.15pm at Royal Wootton Bassett Academy sixth form, on Monday December 2.

Entry is free.

For those who can not go to the event, it will be livestreamed on Royal Wootton Bassett Environmental Group’s Facebook page.