The Conservative's two prospective parliamentary hopefuls battled it out this evening to see which of them will face Ukip's Mark Reckless in the Rochester and Strood by-election.

Both Medway councillor Kelly Tolhurst and Sevenoaks councillor Anna Firth put up a good display at the open hustings meeting, chaired by Tim Luckhurst, Professor of Journalism at the University of Kent.

They stressed the need to fight the election on local issues and though both were convincing, they shared similar views on a number of key points.

Mrs Firth says one of her priorities is improving Medway Hospital, where her brother works. The trust was placed in special measures last year and a damning CQC report in July did not help.

Kelly Tolhurst has also stressed the need to improve the hospital.

In an answer to how they intend to combat political disenchantment, Mrs Firth said the party must listen to the electorate, and act on public feedback.

Mrs Tolhurst described herself as a normal person who has "put her head above the parapet" because she cares about local issues in her home town.

Early questioning revealed that both candidates have a similar stance on several points - the NHS, Europe, and Boris Island.

Both are against the estuary airport, and both want a renegotiation with the EU.

The candidates also addressed immigration.

Mrs Tolhurst said she wanted to make sure local services can cope with the population, and said a Conservative government was the only way the UK could renegotiate with Europe over immigration.

Mrs Firth was very specific as to her policy.

"This isn't about Mark Reckless, it's about the people of Rochester and Strood having a local champion who is going to deliver on local issues" - Anna Firth

She blamed Labour for opening the borders and said: "We are a small island and our infrastructure is under threat in the south east."

But she also said the UK must have controlled immigration, and should welcome people who have skills the country needs, an existing job, or money to support themselves.

There was an interesting question from the chair Tim Luckhurst who asked: "Would you be proud if the UK elected its first black or Asian Prime Minister?"

Both answered "absolutely."

The candidates gave very similar answers as to how they plan to deal with Mark Reckless.

Both reiterated their plan to campaign on local issues and concentrate on the things they think people in Rochester and Strood care about.

First up, Mrs Firth said: "This isn't about Mark Reckless, it's about the people of Rochester and Strood having a local champion who is going to deliver on local issues."

Mrs Tolhurst called Mr Reckless's decision "irrational" and said he took the decision based on "his personal political ambitions."

Despite emphasising the importance of local issues, when asked how they would solve the towns' traffic problems both said a new transport strategy was needed but gave answers short on detail.

The candidates both condemned comments made by Welfare Minister Lord Freud at the Conservative Party Conference.

Lord Freud was recorded claiming some disabled people were not worth minimum wage.

Mrs Firth branded his remarks "silly" but said he had done good work for the party in the past. Mrs Tolhurst called his comments "ludicrous".

An audience member asked "how will you make Strood famous?"

Mrs Firth's answer was "an international shopping hub."

There is no doubt the Conservatives intend to fight hard to keep hold of Rochester and Strood with David Cameron reported to be planning an unprecedented five visits to the constituency, in support of the campaign.