FIRST-time voters for next month’s General Election were given the opportunity to quiz the local prospective parliamentary candidates.

Sixth formers at Norton College took part in a question and answer session with the candidates for the Thirsk and Malton constituency: John Clark – Liberal Party; Kevin Hollinrake – Conservative; Chris Newsam – Green Party; Toby Horton – UKIP; Alan Avery – Labour; Di Keal – Liberal Democrats and Philip Tate – Protect Yorkshire From Fracking.

Head of sixth form Gemma McDonald said: It was a fantastic opportunity for students to find out about the parties that came along to the afternoon.

“Students were talking eloquently about their views on each candidate and it created many debates among students, which is great to see.

“The students asked questions about how will they be affected as young people – what will change for them, minimum wage etc – as a lot of our Year 13s will be voting for the first time.”

All the Thirsk and Malton constituency candidates will take part in a Question Time-style event chaired by Helmsley Arts Centre’s artistic director Em Whitfield Brooks on Sunday, at 7.30pm.

Em said the centre was delighted to be welcoming all of the candidates for what was bound to be a really entertaining evening.

She said: “This event will be one of the last chances for the audience to hold the candidates to account within what is clearly becoming one of the most exciting elections I can remember. It will be more than a hustings and I shall be doing my best David Dimbleby impression in the hope we get some clear answers.

“We are asking for a donation of £10 for tickets, which will go directly to the Arts Centre.”

Email questions to director@helmsleyarts.co.uk