WORCESTER'S parliamentary candidates have had a fierce debate over issues like the NHS, school places and congestion ahead of the General Election.

On Monday the city's hopefuls spent hours arguing the toss with each other in three separate hustings debates, including the Cap 'n' Gown pub.

During the exchanges:

- Conservative Robin Walker urged people to vote him back in to keep the economy on track, pointing to a 60 per cent fall in unemployment since 2010

- Labour candidate Councillor Joy Squires launched an angry attack on Tory policy, citing foodbank use, huge levels of student debt and an "NHS in crisis"

- Green hopeful Councillor Louis Stephen got into a squabble with the UK Independence Party over foreign aid

- Lib Dem Stephen Kearney called the political system "broken" and said Worcester's political leaders had "failed the city"

At the Cap 'n' Gown pub, all candidates were invited to put some of their policies to the audience before a Q&A got underway.

Mr Walker said "there were 2,500 people out of work in Worcester" when he came to office, telling the audience he wanted to carry on reducing it from its current level of just over 1,000.

He also told them £4 billion extra school funding the country would be made available if his party wins the General Election, as well as £29 million to expand toe county's two main hospitals.

"We've made a lot of progress in Worcester and I'm determined to see that continue and not be put at risk," he said.

Cllr Squires said she was "really angry" at people "being badly let down by the Tories", citing foodbank use, the NHS crisis and changes to pensions, telling the crowd she was "livid".

She mentioned one of her grown-up sons, who is 28, saying he "still owes over £28,000 and lives in a house-share" despite having a Phd and a very good job.

"His 'mistake' is having parents who can't afford to pay off his student debt," she said.

She accused the Government of taking things away from "a whole generation" of young people, adding: "This what seven years of Tory government has done, I can't bear to think what another five years will do to Worcester."

UKIP's James Goad, filling in for Worcester candidate Paul Hickling, called Sharia law "a disgrace" and accused Labour of nicking his party's policy on free hospital parking.

He also said his party would support the Northern Link being built and shelve creation the 2,150-home West Worcester 'super village', before reeling off a list of national policies like a point-based immigration system.

He also cited foreign aid concerns, saying: "There are benefits to foreign aid, but some of the benefits are very dubious.

"We should drastically reduce it - not stop it altogether, but cut it."

But Green candidate Councillor Louis Stephen, who also pushed his own party's virtues, hit out over the critical UKIP remarks over cutting foreign aid.

"That money helps the poorest people in the world - it supports education, fledgling democracies, it is the fight against Isis.”

Cllr Stephen said Worcester "never learns" over planning for the future, saying the city needs to build better infrastructure first, and then homes.

He also hit out over the Government meddling in teaching, saying staff in schools "need to be supported, not kicked in the teeth".

Lib Dem Stephen Kearney said: "I'd say we've failed as politicians - our system is broken."

He reiterated his push for a 'Worcester parliament', and said developers are being allowed to "put homes all over the place" without proper infrastructure being in place.

Independent Mark Shuker also attended the hustings, saying public transport needs to be cheaper, and he called for extra investment into flooding alleviation.

He was also among several candidates backing a ban on zero hours contracts.

The pub is hosting another hustings debate this coming Bank Holiday Monday from 7.30pm, focusing on Brexit.