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The ´óÏó´«Ã½ has announced wide-ranging coverage of the General Election 2010 across the English Regions to help voters make informed choices about who they want to cast their vote for.

There will be 12 major regional television debates with big hitters from all the main parties taking questions from the public, as well as more than 100 local radio hustings, in-depth analysis of both local issues and key constituency battles and a special regional results programme.

The ´óÏó´«Ã½ will help people examine the policies and manifestos of all the political parties and explore the issues that matter most in the their local areas through comprehensive, relevant and impartial coverage.

Coverage and analysis will be available across TV, radio, online, blogs and mobile – so that no matter where people are, they can get the news that matters.

Key events include:

Twelve major regional TV debates to be broadcast on ´óÏó´«Ã½ One on 27 April at 10.40pm. Locations include Birmingham's historic town hall; the College of Mark and St John in Plymouth; and Sports City Sunderland.

Each ´óÏó´«Ã½ Local Radio station in England will broadcast three constituency election programmes with candidates taking listeners' views and questions on local issues; many will feature a live audience.

Regional TV News will have correspondents on location every night of the week in many areas exploring local people's concerns and putting them directly to the candidates.

The ´óÏó´«Ã½ Election Bus will be visiting key constituencies in Swindon, Dorset, Luton, Sunderland and Merseyside, bringing in-depth analysis from local factories, hospitals and colleges. A key part of its focus will be helping people understand the election process.

The Politics Show regional opt out will be holding "hustings" with local candidates coming face to face with voters and their issues, on every Sunday leading up to the election.

On the morning of Friday 7 May, there will be a special regional programme on ´óÏó´«Ã½ One to update on election news and results from each region.

In each region, political editors will be blogging to give unique insight into the campaign as it happens. Contributors include Richard Moss (North East), Peter Henley (South), Patrick Burns (West Midlands), Len Tingle (Yorkshire & North Midlands), Tim Iredale (East Yorkshire & Humberside) and John Hess (East Midlands).

David Holdsworth, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Controller of English Regions, said: "The ´óÏó´«Ã½'s experts cut through the noise and confusion to offer a clear understanding of the issues and how they impact locally, regionally and nationally.

"We set out to explain the reality behind the politics to local voters across regions and hundreds of constituencies. We will compare the policies of all the parties to help the public understand the choices in front of them."

Notes to Editors

This coverage is in addition to national output including the Prime Ministerial Debate, Question Time and comprehensive election night coverage.

SH6