A POPULAR Worcester pub is going challenge the city's General Election hopefuls - in a bid to bring "democracy to the people".

The Cap 'N Gown, an historic boozer situated in The Tything, has secured a deal with all the parliamentary candidates to take part in a series of hustings-style Q&A events.

The hostelry, which only has a capacity of around 70 people, is expected to be packed to the rafters for the sessions, which will take place from 7pm every single Monday night from March through to the big night 10 weeks later on Thursday, May 7.

Pub landlord Ted Marshall has created a dossier of topics with the help of your Worcester News, with each week having a particular theme like the NHS, immigration and city congestion.

It will mean current Tory MP Robin Walker, Labour's Joy Squires, UKIP's James Goad, Green Louis Stephen and a to-be-confirmed Liberal Democrat candidate debating inside the pub.

Mr Marshall said: "I believe this is pretty unique - I'm not aware of any pub that has got a commitment from all the candidates for a 10-week period to debate one-by-one all the great issues facing our country.

"It will enable the people of Worcester to meet their local candidates and understand who they trust and like.

"Secondly, it will enable them to take a view about all the great issues of today and make up their own mind on where they stand.

"I'm truly a floating voter but I do believe it's important in the end to make a decision and cast my vote."

Each Monday, starting on March 2, the candidates will get five minutes each, followed by questions being collected from the audience and a 45-minute Q&A.

RGS Worcester, which is situated just opposite the pub is also expected to set up a webcam to broadcast the events live, which people can watch from the school's hall if the pub is full.

On Monday, March 2 from 7pm the first topic will be Europe, followed every Monday after with the topics of constitutional reform, congestion, immigration, Britain's standing in the world, tax and welfare, education, economic policy and then finally on Monday, May 4 'why you should vote for me'.

Entrance will be free. For more details call the pub on 01905 612 236.

People can also find the pub on Facebook, or on Twitter by typing in @CapnGownWorc and using the hashtag #pubpolitics.

The candidates have not promised to attend all 10 sessions, but as many as each one possibly can.