With polling day looming, Hitchin candidates will square off in a pair of hustings later this month.

The first hustings will take place next Monday (June 17) and will be hosted by Churches Together at St Mary's Church.

The six candidates will have the opportunity to debate each other on a range of issues, both local and national.

Each prospective MP will have the chance to make a three minute opening statement and a 60 second closing statement.

In between they will take questions submitted in advance, although there may be some opportunity for questions on the night.

Organisers have confirmed that all six candidates will be in attendance, with a livestream available for those unable to attend.

Doors open at 7pm, for a 7.30pm start, with the hustings lasting 90 minutes. 

The second hustings will take place on June 26, and will be a special event hosted by Carers for Herts at Hitchin Town Hall.

Focusing specifically on health and social care, the hustings will be exclusively for carers living in the Hitchin constituency, giving them a chance to quiz the candidates.

The hustings will start at 11am, also lasting 90 minutes.

At the time of publication, not all candidates had confirmed their participation.

The candidates for the Hitchin constituency are: Bim Afolami (Conservative, MP for Hitchin and Harpenden in the last Parliament), Alistair Strathern (Labour, MP for Mid Befordshire in the last Parliament), Charles Bunker (Reform UK), Chris Lucas (Liberal Democrats), Will Lavin (Green Party) and Sid Cordle (Christian Peoples Alliance).

Unusually, the boundary changes that created this seat have led to a situation where two displaced sitting MPs will be standing for the same newly-created seat.

The General Election takes place on Thursday, July  4, with counting taking place overnight.