A candidate standing for election in South Thanet is to embark on a day-long coastal walk today to highlight issues he says are being ignored by the frontrunners in the battle for victory.

Liberal Democrat Russ Timpson is walking the entire coastal boundary of the constituency - about 15 miles - saying he wants to draw attention to key topics, including water pollution, the fracking debate and the threat to the fishing industry.

On fracking, he said the main parties were not investing what was needed in renewable technology so fracking would become the default position.

“There is a balance to be struck on renewable energy but the more we defer investment in it, it simply delays the inevitable.”

On Manston, he said there was an opportunity for it become a central recycling facility for aircraft taken out of commission.

Mr Timpson is beginning his walk from Sandwich, taking in stops at Pegwell Bay, Ramsgate Harbour, Broadstairs and ending at Cliftonville - perhaps appropriately enough at a pub to discuss challenges faced by the brewing industry.