A Norfolk hustings event will see all of the constituency's candidates present themselves for questioning by the general public... with the exception of one.

The hustings at Mulbarton Village Hall will allow local people to examine six of South Norfolk's General Election candidates but will not be attended by Poppy Simister-Thomas, who is standing for the Conservatives. 

She is hoping to retain the seat that Richard Bacon, who announced in May that he would stand down, held for the Tories since 2001.

However, Mrs Simister-Thomas, who lives in Cambridgeshire, will be the only candidate absent from the event on June 24 due to childcare commitments. 

Poppy Simister-Thomas (centre) is standing for the Conservatives in South NorfolkPoppy Simister-Thomas (centre) is standing for the Conservatives in South Norfolk (Image: South Norfolk Conservatives)

Those appearing at the hustings include Labour candidate Ben Goldsborough, the Lib Dem's Chris Brown, Reform UK's Chris Harrison and Social Democratic Party candidate Jason Maguire.

The Green's Catherine Rowett and Independent candidate Paco Davila have also confirmed their attendance. 

Mrs Simister-Thomas has a young child and says she regularly 'commutes' into south Norfolk from her home in Cambridgeshire to campaign. 

Her husband David is the Conservative candidate for Norwich South, and she said diary clashes had prevented her from committing to the Mulbarton hustings. 

She added: "My husband's committed to another event that was already scheduled, so someone has to be at home with our two-year-old.

"My parents and in-laws are helping us out a lot at the moment but can't do every day."

She says she will be attending a hustings event at Wymondham High Academy this Friday. 

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David Thomas will stand in Norwich South for the ConservativesDavid Thomas will stand in Norwich South for the Conservatives (Image: William Warnes)

Mr Bacon held the South Norfolk seat at the last election with a majority of more than 21,000. But such is the state of the national polls that even in this 'true blue' territory, Mrs Simister-Thomas still faces a tough fight to get to Westminster.

Members of the public have until midnight on Tuesday to submit their questions for the other six candidates.

The event will take place at 7.30pm on June 24 at Mulbarton Village Hall.