The five candidates have agreed to take part in a locally-run question time to find out who will best represent Knutsford in Parliament.

On Monday, Conservative candidate George Osborne challenged his adversaries to the contest of words as Prime Minister Tony Blair considered a live TV debate with his main rivals.

"I think we should have our own version in Tatton," he said.

"I would relish the chance to take on my opponents and it will show who has the best qualities to represent Knutsford and the constituency in Parliament."

The Knutsford Guardian will pay to hire a room at the Civic Centre for a four-hour question and answer session.

Final details of the showdown have yet to be confirmed, but this week the candidates agreed to answer questions from the public.

Labour's Steve Conquest said it would be a great opportunity for residents.

"It is all going to be about electing an individual to Parliament," he said.

Liberal Democrat Mike Ash also supported the idea. "In principle I am very happy to do that, but we will have to organise a convenient date to give everyone a fair crack of the whip," he said.

Independents John Batchelor and Peter Sharratt also threw their hats into the ring.

Mr Batchelor said it would be a return to old-style electioneering.

"It is an excellent platform and will be like the old hustings," he said.

And Mr Sharratt, who is standing as an Independent Green, said he hoped it would lead to a series of meetings around the constituency.

"It will really bring politics to the people and it has to become more palatable," he said.

"The best way to digest it all is to get the same product in the same place and compare the qualities of each. It's retail politics."

Don Briggs, chairman of The Tatton Group, said: "It is a very positive development which we welcome and we hope it will stimulate people into taking an interest in the issues at stake.

"We have no candidate yet, but we are continuing our search."

The general election could be on May 3. Last week, Tatton MP Martin Bell said Tatton would be one of the hot seats.