The Medway Messenger is giving party leaders the opportunity to debate the major election issues during a pre-vote hustings.

The meeting is being organised in conjunction with the Centre for Journalism at the University of Kent's Medway site.

The three leaders of the main parties will be joined on the panel by Prof Tim Luckhurst, principal of the centre and a former editor of The Scotsman newspaper.

Chairing the debate will be the KM Group's political editor, Paul Francis.

Cllr Rodney Chambers (Conservative), who has led Medway Council for eight years, said: "This is a significant opportunity for local residents to question the council's party group leaders about the considerable changes that have been implemented to make Medway a better place to live and work, but also about where we would like to see Medway in the future."

Paul Godwin (Labour), who has been a member of the Medway Renaissance Partnership as well as serving on the Kent Police Authority, said: "My colleagues and I are committed to listening to local residents, and believe open dialogue and debate is integral to restoring trust in local politics and democracy."

Geoff Juby (Lib Dem) has frequently spoken on major issues in the Towns - and criticised examples of what he considers to be waste. His group has been split by internal strife in the past two years.

He said: "People need to know that their councillor will listen to them and represent their views regardless of party dogma."

The meeting is on Tuesday, April 26 at 7pm in the Pilkington Building in the universities' complex at Chatham Maritime. Members of the public are welcome.

If you have a question you want to put to the panel, email medwaymessenger@thekmgroup.co.uk marking it HUSTINGS.