Traditionally a Conservative stronghold, anything other than a Tory MP would be a shock result for Christchurch.

But that's not to say the constituency isn't immune to an political upset.

It was briefly held by Liberal Democrat MP, Diana Maddock, after the party's 1993 by-election victory following the death of Conservative, Robert Adley.

However, after being narrowly regained by the Tories in 1997 it is now regarded as a safe Conservative seat.

Current MP Chris Chope has held the seat since 1997, expanding his majority even further in 2010, to 56.4 per cent of the vote.

He polled 27,888 votes in total, with a majority of 15,410. Liberal Democrat candidate, Martyn Hurll totalled 12,478 votes.

The Liberal Democrats have always tended to be the main opposition to the Tories, but this year that could change.

Locally, the Liberal Democrats are surprisingly not fielding any council candidates and Ukip claim Christchurch is their second largest party membership next to Nigel Farage's South Thanet constituency.

Last year, as Ukip support appeared to be gathering pace around the country, Christchurch was also named in a list of the top ‘Ukip-friendly Tory seats’.

The party also made advances in the county council elections of 2013 in Christchurch, and Ukip candidate Robin Grey, is confident gains at least will be made.

For the first time, the Green Party will also field a candidate in the borough, with Shona Dunn representing the party.

Andrew Satherley will stand for the Labour Party, while Andy Canning will represent the Liberal Democrats.

Included in the Christchurch constituency is the main borough of the town as well as St Leonards, Verwood, Three Legged Cross and parts of Ferndown and West Parley.

It also includes Bournemouth Airport, which is intending to modernise its business parks as part of a multi-million pound scheme.

Well-known companies based at the Airport include Cobham, AIM Altitude, Basepoint, CSE Citation Centre and European Skybus.

Major issues span from affordable housing provision and building on the green belt to the Navitus Bay windfarm.

Christchurch council, comprised of 22 Conservative councillors and two Independents, has spoken out against the wind farm, along with local residents groups and sailing clubs.

The population of Christchurch is 83,596 with the electorate just over 69,000.

One in three people are over the age of 65 - the highest proportion of all constituencies in England and Wales, according to 2011 Census figures.

And perhaps it is due to the age of the majority of the population that the turnout in 2010 was 71 per cent.

The population is predominantly white, with 94.5 per cent of residents born in the UK.

Nearly 75 per cent of residents aged 16-64 are in employment, while only 1.1 per cent of working age residents claim out of work benefit - below the national average.

And although the age of most of the residents is over 65 years old, 77.8 per cent of residents describe their health as good or very good.

Christchurch is also a place where the majority of people do own their own homes - 79 per cent - with just 10.2 per cent of people in social housing.

The average house price in the constituency is £260,000, while the average income is £20,400.