STOURBRIDGE General Election candidates Margot James and Pete Lowe both chalked up visits to secondary schools in the constituency this week as the race to the polls gathered pace.

Conservative candidate Ms James was joined by Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, on a visit to Pedmore Technology College, Grange Lane, yesterday (Wednesday) while Labour's Pete Lowe went back to his old school Thorns Community College in Quarry Bank.

Ms James said she wanted to showcase the Pedmore school's "commitment to music, arts and other enrichment activities" to Mr Javid, who hopes to retain the Bromsgrove seat he has held since 2010.

She said: "I was delighted to welcome Sajid Javid to Stourbridge. I know how important the arts are to a well-rounded education, and so it was very useful to speak to headmaster Gareth Lloyd about the impact of school league tables on lessons of this kind. We also had the opportunity to observe a year eight music class, and Sajid was very impressed with both the teaching and the students.”

Mr Javid described the school as "a great example of a school that recognises the value of music and the arts" and he added: "I was very impressed with the college’s commitment to ensuring children receive a cultural education, and I know that this will help the students to develop a creative attitude that will serve them well in whatever they go on to do next.”

Meanwhile, councillor Lowe - leader of Dudley Council - said it was "fantastic" to go back to the classrooms at his old school in Thorns Road, where he chatted to pupils during a visit on Tuesday.

He said: "I absolutely loved being there. I found the students to be articulate and well-informed. They really put me through my paces.

"I was a governor at the school for many years and I used to play football here on a Tuesday night. But it's the first time I've ever been back in a political capacity.

"The pupils asked a wide range of questions ranging from what I could do for Stourbridge as an MP to how young people can get involved in politics."

Ms James, Cllr Lowe, together with James Carver (UKIP) and Chris Bramall (Liberal Democrats) will be taking part in a public election hustings event at Chawn Hill Church tonight (Wednesday April 22) from 7pm.

The event, hosted by Churches Together in Stourbridge, is open to all. Green Party candidate Christian Kiever is unable to attend.

Stourbridge candidates will also be taking part in a Pensioners' Question Time event from 11am to 12.30pm on Friday May 1 at Age Concern Stourbridge, off St John's Road, where they will give their views on the winter fuel allowance, free prescriptions, concessionary travel, the NHS, dignity in care and Stourbridge issues.

Questions can be submitted in advance by emailing spc.wmpc@gmail.com or texting 07938 528811 (don't forget to include your name) or people can hand them into the Age Concern office.

And in a final pre-election showdown, candidates will be squaring up to each other at a public hustings event, hosted by 102.5 The Bridge, at St John's Church, St John's Road, Stourbridge, on Friday May 1 at 7pm.

Representatives from Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, UKIP and The Green Party have all been invited to the event, which is free but ticketed to manage demand.

More details can be found at thebridgeradio.net/elections.