FORMER Liberal Democrat leader Sir Paddy Ashdown is due to visit Malvern next week to support his party's assault on the Conservative held West Worcestershire seat.

Sir Paddy first supported the Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Hadley during a by-election in Dudley West in 1995.

He will visit Malvern Community Hospital during Wednesday's visit, Mr Hadley being the Liberal Democrat regional health spokesman, before heading for the party's Worcester Road base to meet supporters.

"Paddy has given me tremendous support over recent years and I am delighted he has again been able to fit Malvern into his hectic schedule," said Mr Hadley, "He always brings tremendous energy to campaigning and that will give us a tremendous boost at exactly the right moment."

Candidates for the June 7 General Election were confirmed on Tuesday afternoon when the deadline for nominations past.

Contesting West Worcestershire will be: Sir Michael Spicer (Conservative), Mike Hadley (Liberal Democrat), Waqar Azmi (Labour), Malcolm Victory (Green Party) and Ian Morris (UK Independence Party).

Malvern man Richard Chamings is also standing in Worcester for the United Kingdom Independence Party.

The Malvern-based Democratic Party has decided not to field any candidates in the General Election.

Geoff Southall, the party leader, said the complete indifference of the media to the Democratic Party was a major factor in its decision.

More than 60 people attended a General Election forum at Christ Church, Avenue Road, on Sunday, organised by Churches Together in Malvern.

Four candidates were prese: Mr Hadley, Mr Azmi, Mr Morris and Mr Victory. The panel was chaired by Father Raphael Appleby of St Joseph's RC Church.

Candidates were able to raise their own issues but the meeting was largely given over to nine questions, chosen out of 30 submitted by the audience.

The questions included candidates' attitude to Third World debt, support for marriage, the environment, support for pensioners, nuclear weapons, education and the treatment of asylum seekers.

The Gazette & Reporter will be helping readers make their election decision with a special election supplement next week.