CAMPAIGNING across Waveney has gathered pace this week as candidates prepare for polling day next Thursday (May 6).Green candidate Graham Elliott said he has been concentrating on getting out and meeting local voters.

CAMPAIGNING across Waveney has gathered pace this week as candidates prepare for polling day next Thursday (May 6).

Green candidate Graham Elliott said he has been concentrating on getting out and meeting local voters. 'Despite being left out of the leader's debate on television, the public haven't forgotten about the Green Party,' he said. 'The reception on the doorstep is good, and the public really appreciate our fresh approach to politics.'

Meanwhile, None of the Above independent candidate Louis Barfe has also started campaigning. 'I'm trying to be sort of a blank canvas. If I come out in favour of this, or against that, I would be a politician and not this faceless everyman - which is the whole point of standing.'

Lib Dem candidate Alan Dean said he had received a warm response when he visited Lowestoft town centre on Saturday.

He said: 'My campaign team and I intend to continue campaigning by listening to local concerns and to what Waveney's residents think.'

UKIP candidate Jack Tyler, who lives in Kessingland, has also been busy campaigning locally.

An election debate is taking place at St Luke's Church on Rigbourne Hill in Beccles from 7pm tonight (Friday, April 30), all are welcome.

Senior citizens are invited to a debate with the election candidates on Tuesday (May 4). The event, being hosted by the Suffolk Pensioners Association, is taking place at the Stella Maris Hall in Gordon Road, Lowestoft, from 3pm to 4pm.

The climax to this year's election debate is set to take place at Bungay's Fisher Theatre at 7.30pm, with the candidates facing questions from local voters. Groups of students from Bungay High School and the Sir John leman High School will also get the chance to question the candidates.

TRANSPORT minister Lord Adonis was in Lowestoft on Wednesday to hear about congestion in the town centre and the need for a third crossing.

Labour candidate Bob Blizzard said: 'The need for a third crossing dominates every day like here. Every time anyone goes from one side of town to the other, they wonder whether they can get there without a hold up.'

Lord Adonis said: 'Bob has been campaigning on very important local issues, including a third crossing to ease congestion. We've discussed his plans and he makes a strong case for a third crossing and I have told him that the government will fund a crossing if it is given priority by Suffolk County Council. The regeneration of Lowestoft is very important.'

He added: 'I've met Bob's local campaign team and they are certainly fighting very strongly here in Waveney.'

CONSERVATIVE candidate Peter Aldous was joined by shadow secretary of state for the environment Nick Herbert on Tuesday at the recycling transfer centre in south Lowestoft, where he was told that 56pc of waste is now recycled in the Waveney district.

Mr Herbert said: 'Waveney council's impressive recycling record is a sign of the Conservative party's commitment to recycling. Unlike Labour, we want to make it easier for families to go green, not bully them with threats of bin taxes.

'It was a pleasure to see Waveney's recycling centre and learn more about the council's plans to drive up recycling rates even further.

'I know Peter Aldous will be an excellent MP and he shares our ambition to make Waveney and the whole country a cleaner and greener place.'

Mr Aldous said: 'It's important to build on these achievements and work towards the ultimate goal of zero waste.'