A CHURCH group has criticised officials for failing to stage a public debate between election candidates.

Following a disappointing turnout at St Nicholas's Church, Durham City, on Saturday, when only two of the four candidates for the city seat appeared, Durham Churches Together has called for better public debate.

Liberal Democrat candidate Carol Woods and UK Independence Party candidate Chris Williamson attended the meeting, organised by the group, with Labour's Gerry Steinberg and Tory candidate Nick Cartmell unavailable.

Organisation secretary Kirsty Thomas said: "I cannot understand why it is not obligatory for local authorities to make the town hall available for candidates to set out their stall on the last Saturday before the election.

"We are criticised as a nation for being apathetic, but people have got no chance to see proper debate in action.

"It should not have to come down to someone like me to organise this. It's not my job."