AS the countdown to the election continues, the St Helens Green Party launched its manifesto with an evening of music and poetry at Cinema Bar.

On a night mixed with entertainment and politics, poems from Laura Taylor and Joy France were performed to the audience, before local folk-rockers Merry Hell raised the roof .

Meanwhile, the Green Party’s two parliamentary candidates in the borough Elizabeth Ward and James Chan addressed the crowd along with local election candidate Francis Williams.

It will be the first time the Green party will feature on ballot papers in the town in a general election.

"This was an amazing evening and we're really grateful to Laura, Joy, Merry Hell and, of course, Cinema Bar for being such wonderful hosts,” said James Chan, who is standing for the party in the St Helens South and Whiston constituency.

“People tell me that I'm brave for standing for the Green Party in such a traditional Labour stronghold, but I'm constantly encouraged by what I'm hearing on the doorstep and in the town centre.

“Voting Green is not a wasted vote in this town.”

St Helens North hopeful Elizabeth Ward added: "It's healthy for democracy that voters have real choice, so my message to everyone is 'vote for what you believe in'. And if you believe in people before profit, the common good before the privileged few, and a secure future over short term gain, then the Green party is for you."

Both will take part in the hustings event when the parliamentary candidates in St Helens will debate with each other and discuss issues with the public.

Organised by the St Helens Interfaith Network (SHINE) the hustings takes place at St Helens Parish Church on Friday, April 17 at 7.30pm.