Rimutaka candidates face real election worms

Politicians have charmed election worms before but that might not be easy at a Rimutaka candidates debate tonight -- the worms will be real.

The candidates are gathering for a forum in Upper Hutt organised by the Rimutaka Lions Club.

Club spokesman Paul Lambert said organisers were unable to find an electronic worm, so decided to go for the real thing.

"We will be seeing if the worms react to the political speak," he told NZPA.

About 1000 worms from an Upper Hutt farm will be on stage with the candidates. "I'll put some in a can and the rest will be in a jam jar."

The Rimutaka candidates attending the debate are sitting member Labour's Paul Swain, Mike Leddy of National, Bernard McClelland of United Future, Michael Morris of the Green Party, independent Dave Reynolds and possibly David Fowler of New Zealand First.

- NZPA