BBC Radio 4's Today programme looking for audience members for General Election special in Somerset

Radio 4's hugely popular Today programme is looking for audience members to attend a hustings next week. Today will give constituents a chance to ask questions to the candidates running for the Wells and Mendip Hills seat on Tuesday, June 11 in Blackford.

Host Justin Webb said: "I’m hugely looking forward to this event. I hope we have a civilised and thoughtful debate involving the candidates and local people: we are aiming for as much light as heat!”

There are currently six candidates running for the brand new Wells and Mendip Hills seat in the upcoming General Election: Helen Hims for Reform UK, Joe Joseph for Labour, Independent candidate Abi McGuire, Tessa Munt for the Liberal Democrats, Meg Powell-Chandler for the Conservatives, and Peter Welsh for the Green Party. It has not yet been confirmed which candidates will be appearing.

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The programme, which will be recorded on the Tuesday evening, will invite attendees to submit questions to candidates. Highlights will be broadcast on the programme on the morning of Wednesday, June 12.

Of the 650 seats up for grabs in this General Election, Today have chosen Wells and Mendip Hills as one of just six to "tell the story of the election" to its listeners. The other hustings will be for the constituencies of Norwich North, Dagenham and Rainham, Motherwell, Wishaw & Carluke, and Bolton West.

The Wells and Mendip Hills election is bound to be historic: it's the first time it's ever been contested. The new constituency includes Wells, Shepton Mallet, Axbridge, Cheddar, Yatton, and more.

The hustings will take place at Blackford Village Hall in Blackford from 6pm on Tuesday, June 11. Voters for the Wells and Mendip Hills constituency can apply for a free ticket by emailing alisonfuller21@btinternet.com.