Health and pensions are the two key issues that come up most often, with people showing a concern and anger that new Labour hasn't lived up to its promises.

Worcestershire voters are, of course, especially sensitive about the performance of the NHS because of the down-grading of Kidderminster General Hospital and the use of private investment to finance the new Worcester Hospital. People realise, that much of the blame for the malaise in the health service can be laid at the door of Margaret Thatcher and John Major, who were guilty of serious under-investment.

Lib Dem would invest in more nurses (27,500), doctors (4,600), and professionals allied to medicine (10,250); improving pay; and cutting waiting times by providing 10,000 more beds.

This constituency has a high number of pensioners so Gordon Brown is not the most popular politician in town. His disgraceful 75p a week rise (in 2000) has not been forgotten and certainly not forgiven. Nor will William Hague's magnificent counter-offer ... of just 42p a week! Lib Dems will increase the basic pension by £5 a week for single pensioners, £10 for the over 75s and £15 for over-80s. Couples would get £8, £18 and £28 respectively.