A FORMER bishop is to chair a Christian election hustings on Friday night.

The Right Reverend Michael Nazir-Ali, formerly Bishop of Rochester, will chair a debate at Elvet Methodist Church, in Durham City.

The event will be attended by Labour’s Roberta Blackman-Woods, Liberal Democrat Carol Woods, Conservative Nick Varley and Nigel Coghill-Marshall from the United Kingdom Independence Party (Ukip), all candidates for the City of Durham seat.

They will be asked why Christians should vote for them. About 400 churchgoers are expected to attend.

The event has been organised by Durham University students.

History student George Beverly said: "Many Christians are disillusioned by Labour’s track record of marriage, Christian conscience and dignity of life issues.

"The Liberal Democrat voting record and their manifesto pledges are not ones which most orthodox Christians would feel able to support. The Conservative party policies do not represent traditional Christian values in many areas either.

"This event gives electors a chance to really grill candidates."

The debate will run from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. For more information, visit christiansandcandidates.org