The local economy was among issues put to prospective parliamentary candidates at an election forum.

Four of the five candidates standing for the West Worcestershire seat were quizzed on various issues in front of an audience at Christ Church on Sunday.

Caroline Bovey, of the UK Independence Party said creating a regeneration plan for the area would help its economic future.

"We need to think about regenerating the town centre, and the tourist industry," she said.

"We could make so much more of the Hills, and work on the Malvern festival, which used to be much bigger than it is now"

Labour party candidate, Qamar Bhatti, said affordable housing was needed to keep people in the area, while the Green Party's Malcolm Victory said low energy housing and sustainable agriculture were key issues.

Asked about immigration, Mr Bhatti said the subject was close to his heart as his father was one of many immigrants invited to the country by the British government in the 1950s and 60s.

He said Britain was only 17th on a list of countries with the highest percentage of asylum seekers.

Liberal Democrat candidate Tom Wells said immigrants played an important role in the economy.

"The health service is increasingly dependent on the skills brought from outside the UK," he said.

Candidates were asked nine questions, submitted by the public and selected by forum organisers, Churches Together in Malvern. The Iraq war, Private Members' Bills, abortion and euthanasia, the environment, human rights and world poverty were other topics put to the panel.

Following questions, the public were given the chance to talk to candidates.

Mary Wetherall, of Churches Together in Malvern, said: "I was very happy with it and glad so many people came.

"We had 39 questions sent to us last week, which was a very good response, but we could only fit nine in because of time restrictions."

Malvern resident Alasdair McKeane said: "I thought that was very good. I now have a much better idea about the candidates and think they're all impressive in their own way.."

Conservative candidate Sir Michael Spicer was absent from the meeting, but held a separate event at Holy Trinity Parish Hall on Wednesday.