Parliamentary candidates for Brighton Pavilion are to go head-to-head in a public meeting ahead of the general election. The hustings at the Salvation Army Hall in Park Crescent on 13 April will include Caroline Lucas (Green Party) Charlotte Vere (Conservative Party) and Chris Todd (Friends of the Earth). Stephen Young from Living Streets, a lobby group which aims to improve conditions for people in public spaces, will also take part. Labour candidate Nancy Platts is unavailable for the meeting.

Local community organisers hope to encourage a more visionary approach – making the meeting less about formal policies and more about new ideas and enabling communities to make a difference. A spokeswoman said it offered “an opportunity to explore ideas and different approaches”. She said that participation or involvement of more of the candidates or other representatives from the parties concerned would be appreciated.