QUESTION the people vying for your vote at a series of hustings organised by the Echo.

Next week, residents of Leigh, Rochford, Shoebury, Thorpe Bay, Westcliff and Southend will be able to grill candidates standing for election in both Southend seats.

Residents of Hadleigh, Benfleet, Thundersley and Canvey will also get a chance to speak to the people wanting their vote in Castle Point.

Voters will hear from prospective MPs from all political parties and they will outline what they stand for and why they think you should vote for them.

Readers will have the opportunity to put their own questions to the candidates and find out their view on a range of issues.

The Echo is asking people to send their questions in advance, but there will be plenty of opportunities on the night to quiz candidates.

Chris Hatton, Echo editor, said: “This is your chance to make an informed decision on who to vote for in May, and grill the candidates on local issues in your area that matter to you.

“I’m delighted to have the opportunity to host some of the hustings myself, and look forward to seeing as many of our readers as possible there.”

The series of events will kick off with the Rochford and Southend East event on Tuesday, April 7, at All Saints Church in Sutton Road, Southend, from 7.30pm.

The constituency covers Rochford as well as Shoebury, Southchurch, Thorpe Bay and the eastern part of Southend.

On Wednesday, April 8, Castle Point candidates will have their say at Hadleigh Old Fire Station, in High Street, Hadleigh, from 7.30pm.

Then from 7.30pm on Thursday, April 9, Southend West candidates will take their seats at St Saviour’s Church, in Kings Road, Westcliff.

Southend West covers Leigh and Westcliff.

Further meetings take place later this month.

Rayleigh and Wickford’s hustings will take place at Sweyne Park School, in Sir Walter Raleigh Drive, Rayleigh, at 7pm on April 17.

The Echo has teamed up with Churches Together to host events for the parliamentary seats of Basildon and Billericay and South Basildon and East Thurrock.

The South Basildon and East Thurrock event will take place at St Gabriels Church Centre, in Rectory Road, Pitsea, from 7.15pm on Monday, April 20.

Basildon and Billericay candidates will take their seats at The Billericay School, in School Road, Billericay, from 10.15am on Monday, April 27.

Tim Blake, from Churches Together, said: “This year’s General Election promises to be one of the most important we have seen for a generation, not just as a nation, but also for the people in the Basildon area.

“It is so important that we understand what each of the candidates really stands for, so that we can ensure that decisions effecting the future of this district are in the hands of those whose values we share.”

Places at the Basildon and Billericay, or Rayleigh and Wickford, and South Basildon and East Thurrock hustings are unreserved, so people are advised to arrive early.

To join the audience at the Castle Point event, email chloe.chapman@nqe.com.

To book a place at the Southend hustings, email ian.burbidge@nqe.com.

No tickets are required but the Echo is collating a list of names for each night.

For your chance to have a question put to the candidates, include this when reserving