General Election candidates have been on the campaign trail to win votes.

Three Bury North candidates went head-to-head before a 100-strong audience to win the constituency previously held by Labour MP David Chaytor.

Conservative David Nuttall told the Ramsbottom Theatre Royal audience one of his priorities was restoring trust in political parties.

Labour’s Maryam Khan said her priorities were the economy, supporting families and protecting public services.

Lib-Dem Richard Baum emphasised the importance of giving communities greater power.

Some members of the audience said the focus of the debate was wrong.

One asked: “Is there any chance the speakers can talk about what their own party is going to do — rather than knocking each other?”

The debate became more constructive and centred on the economy and public spending.

Mr Baum said: “The cuts are going to be deeper than in the 1980s and I don’t think it does us any favours to lie about it.

“We will scrap things we think are wasteful like the Government’s ID card database — £10 billion, gone. Trident replacement — £12bn, gone.”

Mr Nuttall: “We would hold an emergency budget within 50 days and there would be difficult decisions to be made. We would cut the number of MPs and cut ministers’ pay.”

Ms Khan talked about making the most of the constituency’s good points. She said: “This constituency has got good motorway links and schools and accessibility to the city. It is quite a sought-after area.

“I want to protect jobs and create new ones. It means encouraging people to invest locally.”

Mr Nuttall added: “We want to make it easier for businesses to start up. Cutting red tape helps.”

Mr Baum favoured devolved spending powers and said: “We need more freedom on how to spend money because issues effecting places like Tower Hamlets in London are completely different to those in Bury.”

Ms Khan talked about helping youngsters. “We need to talk to them to find out what leisure activities they want.”

The three candidates met again at Bury Football Club yesterday to debate mental health provision.

Meanwhile, business people are being given the chance to quiz all Bury candidates at an event by Greater Manchester Chamber at Link House, Walmersley Road, Bury, at 6pm on April 27. `For information, call John Mallam on 0161 237 4250 or email: john.mallam@gmchamber.co.uk