AS THE countdown to polling day continues a distinctive blue and red bus has pulled into Worcester's Cornmarket.

Reporters from Times Radio are speaking to residents and representatives - including Worcester News reporter Charlotte Albutt - about their thoughts on the General Election.

Presenter Darryl Morris is in the city today (Friday) with the city considered a good barometer for who will win the election.

 Voters will head to the polls on Thursday, July 4 with Labour hopeful Sir Kier Starmer already paying a visit to the city.

And now the Times Radio Election Bus tour has arrived in the city.

Broadcasting live from a studio within the giant branded tour bus, Times Radio is travelling across the country to listen to the voices of communities and highlight the political issues that matter most to them.

At each location, Times Radio will provide real-time updates, expert analysis,  debates, and interviews, ensuring listeners are fully informed on every twist and turn of the election campaign. 

Travelling from Dover to London, the bus will visit key battlegrounds and politically significant areas up until polling day that also includes Glasgow, Cardiff, Bournemouth, and Birmingham.

People will also be able to record messages for the next Prime Minister against a realistic No.10 Downing Street backdrop. Messages will then be incorporated into Times Radio’s programmes. 

Tim Levell, programme director of Times Radio, said: "The General Election is the one moment when power flows to every individual person across the United Kingdom.

"We are delighted that the Times Radio Election Bus, complete with its state-of-the-art on-board radio studio, will be visiting communities right across the country, to hear the concerns and opinions of the voters who will decide our next government.”

In Worcester, fighting it out to become the city's next MP are Labour's Tom Collins, Conservative's Marc Bayliss as well as current Worcester councillors Mel Allcott and Tor Pingree standing for the Lib Dems and Greens respectively.

Mark Davies will run for election for the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition.

Andy Peplow is standing for Reform UK in the upcoming general election and Duncan Murray is the choice for the Social Democratic Party.

Robin Walker stepped down after 14 years as the city’s MP.