TODAY we begin a series of features where our reporters go on the General Election campaign trail with candidates from the four main parties in Wales. NATALIE CROCKETT joined Labour's Hamish Sandison in Chepstow.

LABOUR’S parliamentary candidate for Monmouth was busy drumming up support on the campaign trail in Chepstow.

Hamish Sandison, 58, met parents outside Pembroke Primary School, Bulwark, many of whom seemed happy to put a face to the name on the posters.

Jingfang Li, 30, moved from China to the UK in 1998 with her family including her daughter Tiffany and son Kevin. She has recently gained UK citizenship and is looking forward to voting for the first time in the May 6 General Election.

Mrs Li, of Bulwark, said: "This will be my first time and I am looking forward to it, but I’m still undecided about who I will vote for.”

Retired Chepstow resident John Robinson, 67, will be voting by proxy, which means he will elect someone to vote for him, while he away on an extended holiday in Cyprus.

Mr Robinson said he thought it was a good idea for candidates to meet prospective voters to tell them about their policies and ask about the things that are important to them.

He said: “I think it is a good idea for people to know who they are. I have thought about who I am going to vote for, but I’m not going to reveal it.”

Katrina Edwards, 32, of Chepstow, who is studying for a course in childcare at Coleg Gwent’s Cross Keys Campus, says she will be voting Labour and was glad to see Mr Sandison out talking to local people.

She said: “It is a good idea for them to get out so people can put a face to the name. It makes its more personal.”

Ms Edwards voted for Labour in the last election and has recently e-mailed 10 Downing Street to thank Gordon Brown personally for the funding she has received, which has enabled her to carry out her course. After greeting children and speaking to parents, Mr Sandison, who has lived in Usk for 22 years, moved on to speak to residents in nearby Fairfield Road, hoping to gain their vote.

Foster parents Shirley and Tony Kings, are long-time Labour supporters and said they would be following suit again this year.

Mrs Kings, 67, said: “We are going to vote Labour, we always have done because they are for the working class people.”

*Tomorrow, we go out with Plaid Cymru candidate for Newport East Fiona Cross.