Christchurch prides itself on being a town 'where time is pleasant' for its 50,000 or so residents.

And as an attractive location with draws like Mudeford Quay, Highcliffe Castle and Christchurch Priory, it's firmly on the map for visitors too.

It is perhaps less well known for having one of the oldest age profiles in Europe, the result of being a magnet for retirees.

Christchurch (the constituency also includes part of East Dorset including Ferndown) has been solid Conservative for decades - apart from a brief Liberal Democrat interregnum after a seismic by election result in 1993.

This time Ukip has an eye on the seat, believing its messages will resonate here, both in the local and national poll.

We asked voters about their priorities.

Kerrie Blake, 36, teaching assistant from Purewell, said: "There needs to be more for children and teenagers. Money also needs to be spent better in the town, on things like public toilets. In terms of information about the candidates, we've had hardly anything through the door, so I think I will vote on what the leaders of the parties are saying, rather than the local candidates."

Julie Chapman, 45, sales assistant from Somerford: "The personal allowance tax allowance if you are on a low wage needs to be focussed on, we will always need more housing and I'm interested to hear what is said about raising the minimum wage. I also agreed with some of what Nigel Farage says about immigration."

Cath Cook, 40, primary school teacher working in Christchurch: "Our pay has been frozen for the past three years. David Cameron said that we would get a one-per-cent pay-rise but then we would not get that and not we have to work longer as the pension age has been raised. There also seems to be no money in the pot for Dorset schools."

David Reeve, 72, retired from Fairmile: "I'm strongly against European immigration. It has a knock on effect due to the numbers of people coming in, although we're quite fortunate in Christchurch because we're semi-rural, so people don't tend to come here, but go to the bigger towns and cities."

John Rendell, 74, from Purewell, said: "Schooling is an important issue because I have grandchildren, however I do think that the council is doing more for children, such creating the skate park.

"I also don't agree with pension changes, where people can draw out a lump sum, as I think that will cause issues in the future."