THE candidates vying for Bury's two Parliamentary seats are taking to the stage as the general election campaign kicks into gear.

Both David Nuttall, who has held Bury North for the Conservatives since 2010, and Ivan Lewis, the Labour MP in Bury South since 1997, will be defending their seats.

Mr Nuttall, who campaigned fervently for the UK to leave the European Union, believes this election will be fought on Brexit lines and said, having spoken to his constituents, both sides have accepted the result.

He said: "What people want now is to ensure Britain gets the best deal possible when we leave."

Mr Nuttall added that the choice on June 8 comes down to strong leadership from Theresa May or "chaos" at the hands of Jeremy Corbyn.

Among Mr Lewis' key pledges will be continuing the fight for a new secondary school in Radcliffe, as well as fighting for fair funding for the NHS, schools and colleges.

He said: "During my time in government I have been able to make a positive difference to the local area, such as supporting the building of children’s centres in Prestwich and Whitefield and a new health centre in Radcliffe."

James Frith and Richard Baum — who contested Bury North for Labour and the Lib Dems in 2015 — have once again been selected by their parties to stand this year.

Mr Frith, who was selected ahead of Karen Danczuk, said: "I’m making a very deliberate local focus, I have seen the £100 million go from NHS Bury and local services and I have seen people like Nuttall say it wasn’t us when they are responsible.

"I’m very clear, in Bury North the choice is who they send to defend Bury North at the next Parliament, not which colour of government that will be."

At the last election, Mr Frith was narrowly beaten by Mr Nuttall by 378 votes.

Mr Baum, urged the electorate to think carefully before they vote.

He said: "Bury North is a marginal seat, voters need to think who to vote for and who will win the election.

"Obviously, the Lib Dems are very pro-Europe and anti-austerity, people need to decide if they share those views and vote accordingly.

"I think people have to look at the numbers last time."

In Bury South, Robert Largan and Andrew Page, Conservative and Liberal Democrats respectively, are contesting Mr Lewis' seat.

Mr Largan, from Whitefield, has stepped down from his role as a Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Councillor to “fully focus” on making residents’ voices heard.

He said if elected he would focus on issues like urging Bury Clinical Commissioning Group to reconsider its decision to close Prestwich Walk-in Centre.

Like Mr Nuttall, he discouraged voters from choosing Labour for fear of letting a Corbyn-led coalition take power.

Mr Page, said to voters: "This is your chance to change Britain’s future.

"If you want to stop a disastrous hard Brexit. If you want to keep Britain in the single market. If you want a strong opposition to fight for an open, tolerant and united Britain, this is your chance.

"Up and down the country Liberal Democrats have standing up for local services and for a properly funded NHS."