THE election race kicked off in earnest at Chepstow Comprehensive School last Friday with the main parties debating policy and taking searching questions from pupils.

David Davies MP said: "It was a great debate with challenging questions from engaged students."

One student tweeted: "throughly enjoyed the Hustings meeting at @chepstowschool, definitely going to vote after finally understanding what 'politics' means"

Deputy Mayor Dale Rooke said of the event: "Who said the kids aren't interested in politics?

"Switched on, engaged and relevant, intelligent questions."

The next public hustings are on Wednesday 15th April at 1pm Monmouth Comprehensive School.

They then go on to St Nicholas' Church, Trellech, on Friday 24th April at 6.30pm and Monmouth Baptist Church on Friday 1st May, at 7.30pm, where Dan Damon, a journalist and presenter for the BBC World Service, will be in the chair.