RESIDENTS' association members have expressed their disappointment after Poole's MP failed to turn up to their annual general meeting, after promising to attend.

Elusive Robert Syms, who is refusing to speak at four political hustings in the town, also let down the 2,653 member Branksome Park, Canford Cliffs and District Residents Association.

Chairman John Sprackling told the 60-strong audience at Canford Cliffs Village Hall at the start of the meeting: "Robert Syms is due to pop in. He's not here yet."

When the meeting ended around an hour and 15 minutes later and he had not materialised, Mr Sprackling said: "I'm disappointed he didn't turn up as he did promise he would drop in."

Executive committee member Roger Allen said: "I would say during an election one would expect the sitting MP to give us the courtesy of a visit."

President Terry Stewart, referring to the hustings meetings in the town said: "His excuse was he was approached too late. He must have known there was a general election on. I think it doesn't do his image any good."

Robert Syms has been Tweeting about his "two weeks of canvassing in Poole," and in another post said: "Churches in Poole have failed to consult me on dates for hustings they have had four years to do so. I will be in Mid Dorset last general election week."

However his stance has upset some residents including Emily Bradbury, who has emailed him urging him to reconsider.

"I am not connected with any political party, and am not trying to personally undermine Robert Syms in any way, but feel very strongly that in his unwillingness to attend any of the five (now four) hustings arranged. He treats his constituents with contempt," she said.

In her email to him she said: "At a time when interest in politics is at a very low ebb it is an insult to your constituents if the sitting MP repeatedly does not have the decency to attend hustings."

Replying to her, he said: "The most critical time of the campaign is the last 10 days and I wish to keep those clear, not only to campaign in Poole but to take my supporters into neighbouring Mid Dorset to help secure a Conservative victory."

He said he would have been happy to debate in March or early April, but dates in May "make absolutely no sense as over a quarter of my constituents will by then have already voted by post".