WORCESTER'S 2015 General Election contest has officially kicked off - with a packed city pub playing host to an enthralling hustings debate last night.

It was standing room only at the Gap 'N Gown as the city's parliamentary candidates got to grips with a testing Q&A on Europe.

As the beer flowed at the bar Conservative MP Robin Walker, Labour Councillor Joy Squires, UKIP's James Goad and Green Louis Stephen joined Lib Dem Councillor Liz Smith to debate Britain’s future in the EU and what could be at stake if we pulled out.

During the event, the first of 10 taking place every Monday night at the venue, only one of the candidates, Mr Goad, suggested the UK should pull out of the EU altogether.

But Mr Walker, who is defending a slim 2,982 majority in May, didn't rule out campaigning to quit Europe if David Cameron's pledge of reforming it fails.

"There are businesses all over Worcester who have made it clear to me that they want to stay in the EU," he said.

"But there are also small ones who say they want reform - I think our relationship with Europe has to change."

Councillor Squires told the pub's crowd she would be "telling a lie" if she backed an EU referendum, and accused the Conservatives of being "foolhardy" by putting it at risk.

"To barge in and threaten to leave the EU is absolutely the wrong way to make friends and influence people," she said.

"David Cameron is far too worried about dealing with his own party and the threat of UKIP."

The pro-European stance was backed by Mr Stephen, who said: "There will be winners and losers if Britain leaves Europe but in general, I think we will be losers."

He also said he felt the pact had been "distorted" by greed, but took a swipe at Labour by insisting its stance on no referendum was "a disgrace".

He said whether you want to stay in or not, giving people a say would answer a generational struggle.

Mr Goad said UKIP's stance on Europe was clear, telling the pub he saw the European parliament as "window dressing".

"We'd all be better off out of the European Union, we've shut ourselves off under a protectionist wall and isolated ourselves from the rest of the world," he said.

He said countries like Norway have showed what can be achieved economically by being out, rather than in.

Cllr Smith, who attended the debate because the Liberal Democrats have yet to confirm its Worcester General Election candidate, said the dangers of leaving were clear.

Amid an electric atmosphere, with the 70-odd capacity pub full to the rafters, she said the whole EU agreement was based upon trying to move on from previous wars.

"Europe takes well over 50 per cent of our exports, so if we were to pull out the impact on the people in Worcester will be fairly profound," she said.

"We also have to remember the European Union was built on the back of two major world wars."

During last night's event the pub also arranged for an appearance by Baron Fullstop, from the Monster Raving Loony Party, who spent a few minutes reading out his 'manicfesto' - including a policy to launch a 99p coin to save on change.

He also said the question of the EU was about whether Britain should stay "in, out or shake it all about".

At the end of the night a snap poll took place, where the vast majority of hands backed staying in Europe rather than coming out.

*The pub, in The Tything, will be debating constitutional reform from 7pm next Monday with the candidates.

Entrance will again be free, for more details call landlord Ted Marshall on 01905 612 236.

Each event lasts around two hours, including 45 minutes dedicated to questions from the audience direct to the hopefuls.

People can also find the pub on Facebook, or on Twitter by typing in @CapnGownWorc.