A market research agency has been appointed by national polling company ComRes to conduct telephone interviews ahead of the general election.

Facts International, based in Ashford, will talk to voters about key issues and their voting intentions, with the results reported in national and regional media.

The company, which is also carrying out special polling of Kent for the KM Group, has experienced double-digit growth for the last seven years.

The firm, which is part of the Chime Insight and Engagement group (CIE), will be involved in about a dozen polls with ComRes, along with its sister company Watermelon, which will carry out online interviews.

Andrew Hawkins of ComRes said: “In the run-up to the most unpredictable general election in recent history, we are delighted to work with a trusted and reliable partner that will help us to track the state of the campaign.

“By using both telephone and online research methods for the general election, we will achieve an in-depth, wide-ranging analysis, keeping us on the pulse of the latest trends in public opinion.”

Facts International, which is the biggest private sector employer in Ashford, celebrates its 30th anniversary later this month.