GREN Hustings Tilehurst Reading West 7.30pm on Thursday, March 11

VOTERS will be firing some burning questions to weigh up politicians' green credentials at a climate change-themed hustings meeting.

Reading West general election hopefuls will step into the limelight when Greater Reading Environmental Network's (GREN) hosts a meeting at Tilehurst Methodist Church in School Road at 7.30pm on Thursday, March 11. The two-hour session, chaired by Bishop of Reading, the Right Rev Stephen Cottrell, will let voters challenge the main parties on renewable energy, sustainability, transport, biodiversity and food production and how they will act over the next five years to avert global catastrophe.

Labour, Conservative and Green Party candidates Naz Sarkar, Alok Sharma and Adrian Windisch will take part but Lib Dem Daisy Benson will be absent. The event follows the success of GREN's Calling Copenhagen debate at Reading International Solidarity Centre (RISC) in November, when 100 people questioned leading scientists and climate change experts.

Naz Sarkar (Lab) said: "The environment is top on many voters' agendas. We need to make sure we act now to commit firmly to tackle climate change with both national and international solutions. I hope the atmosphere is constructive as this is an area where we need a firm consensus."

Alok Sharma (Cons) said: "I welcome the opportunity to take part in the GREN debate and put forward the Conservative case for dealing with issues such as climate change, energy security and sustainability."

Adrian Windisch (Green Party) said: "The main parties make big speeches about the environment but their actions don't match their words so this debate should be interesting. Science tells us that we have seven to eight years to reduce our emissions drastically to avoid climate change."

To submit a question in advance contact 0118 947 5961 or click www.gren.org.uk