All five candidates for the West Dunbartonshire seat have been invited to participate in the debate on April 22, chaired by journalist and broadcaster Ruth Wishart.

The candidates are: Maurice Corry, Conservative and Unionist Party; Martin Docherty, Scottish National Party; Gemma Doyle, Labour; Aileen Morton, Liberal Democrats; Claire Muir, Independent.

The audience can submit questions ahead of the event and questions will also be taken from the floor on the night.

The contest for the West Dunbartonshire seat in the general election on May 7 is set to be closely fought and the outcome is far from predictable.

Ms Doyle won the seat in 2010 with a 17,408 majority over her closest contender SNP candidate Iain Robertson.

In the past five years the political landscape has changed dramatically, particularly following the Scottish independence referendum in which West Dunbartonshire was one of four council areas in Scotland to vote yes.

Henry Ainslie, editor of the Reporter, said: “Off the back of last year’s Scottish independence referendum, West Dunbartonshire promises to be one of the most hotly contested seats in the 2015 general election, and that’s why it’s so important to provide this platform for members of the community to their questions to the candidates directly.

“We’re delighted to have secured such a high-calibre chairwoman as Ruth Wishart, who is highly experienced in these events and will keep a lively debate fair and balanced on the night.

“I hope as many people as possible can come down to play their part.” The hustings is being held at Bonhill Community Education Centre from 7.30pm-9pm.

There will be guaranteed seating for 90 people on the night, with additional standing room for up to a total of 150 attendees. Seating priority will be given to the elderly and disabled. Questions for the panel should be emailed to editorial@dumbartonreporter.co.uk.​