A PROJECT has been launched to try and increase the turnout of Herefordshire voters at this May's general election.

A four-strong team has set-up Strictly Herefordshire with the aim of giving would-be voters the chance to decide which of the candidates for the county's two general election constituencies best suits them.

The project works by asking the public what areas of Herefordshire life people want improved, including education, housing and transport.

Responses will be presented to election candidates who they hope will reply with their ideas which will be reported anonymously to those taking part.

The public will then be asked for their preferred response before project leaders reveal which politician gave which response, helping voters decide who to back in the ballot box in May.

"The idea came out of a cafe conversation asking whether we can do anything to get more people to vote," said Gillian Menzies one of those behind the project.

"Doing it anonymously will help people see which candidate equates to their particular political view."

The first part of the process which involves asking the public which areas of Herefordshire life need most improvement is now live at strictlyvoting.co.uk

For those who aren't online they can call Perry Walker, another project leader, on 07858 750936.

Meanwhile, Hereford Civic Society is holding four election hustings debates next month.

The meetings, held on four consecutive Thursdays at the Kindle Centre in South Wye, Hereford will cover different topics each time.

"I would like it to be more of an intellectual discussion where we discuss topics relating to Herefordshire," said John Bothamley, the civic society's chairman.

"We don't want it to be a slanging match."

The first debate is on March 5 when the topic will be Hereford's future built environment.

Speakers include Mr Bothamley himself, Lucy Hurds, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Hereford and South Herefordshire, Cllr Anthony Powers, the leader of It's Our County, Independent Councillor Phil Edwards and Alex Coppock, the director at Communion Architects.

The following Thursday (12th) will be a debate on Hereford's Health and Wellbeing which is followed by a topic on the area's education (19th) then Hereford at work (26th), each with a different panel.

Each meeting takes place from 7pm with free admission.

Anyone wishing to submit questions can do so by calling Mr Bothamley on 01981 580002 or by emailing herefordcivicsociety@hotmail.co.uk