WITH the election period in full swing, a 'Meet the Candidates' event will be held in Alva this week, geared towards parents and carers of pre-school children.

Organised by Women for Independence (WFI) Clackmannanshire and hosted by Alva Toddler and Under 1s Group, it will be held on Friday, April 22.

A spokesperson for WFI Clacks said: "The Scottish Government Election is just a couple of weeks away, and everyone needs to decide how they will vote.

"But parents with young families, especially women, are too often overlooked in traditional campaigning.

"Hustings events are at night and not child friendly, even when people come to the door, it’s always at bath and bedtimes when parents have no chance to talk.

"So Alva Toddlers Group and WFI Clacks have organised 'Meet the Candidates' where candidates from the main parties have been invited along to the regular Alva Toddlers sessions."

So far, organisers say they have confirmed attendance from Keith Brown for the SNP, Craig Miller for Scottish Labour, Christopher McKinlay for the Scottish Liberal Democrats, Kerstin Romano for the Scottish Greens and Bryan Quinn from RISE.

Everyone will have the chance to hear what candidates have to say, ask questions, meet them face to face, while tots have all the usual toys, games and snacks.

Alva Toddlers begins at 9.30am, with the formal part of event starting at 10am, free entry on the day.

The chair will be Jenny Paterson, who is Director of the National Autistic Society Scotland, as well as a former chair of Alva Toddlers.