The race to be the next Macclesfield MP kicked off at the first public debate of the campaign.

Five candidates who are hoping to become the next Macclesfield MP took part in a hustings organised by charity Space4Autism, which was organised by volunteers at the charity who wanted to make candidates aware of the difficulties faced by autistic children and their families.

More than 40 parents and members of the community attended the debate at the charity's base on Lowe Street.

Conservative David Rutley, Tim Roca from Labour, Neil Christian from the Liberal Democrats, Adrian Howard from UKIP and the Green Party’s Joan Plimmer took part.

They were asked about the two-year waiting list for families to get children assessed, whether charities like Space4Autism should get funding from the NHS and how the government can help autistic people into employment. They also spoke about the town centre redevelopment.

Cheryl Simpson, who founded Space4Autism with John McKellar, said: “Families are in crisis and it’s vital they get the right help. The candidates were shocked how long families have to wait to get their child assessed.”

Space4Autism gets £19,000 a year from Cheshire East and runs activities for around 80 children. Cheryl founded the charity after her sons were diagnosed with autism, which affects how a person communicates.

Her son Tom, 14, was diagnosed aged three and Ben, 20, was later diagnosed with Asperger’s, another condition on the autism spectrum.

Cheryl said: “When my sons were diagnosed it helped to talk to other parents so we set up a support group and Space4Autism grew from there. It’s vital the children learn social skills in an environment where they are understood.

“We will push Macclesfield’s MP to get representatives from social care and education around a table with us so we can make things better for families.”

Three further hustings events are set to take place ahead of the General election on Thursday, May 7.

They will be held on: Monday, April 20 in Poynton; Wednesday, April 22 in Bollington; and Friday, April 24 at Macclesfield.

There are elections for Cheshire East, the new Macclesfield Parish Council and other parish councils. You must register to vote by Monday, April 20. Go to gov.uk/register-to-vote.