Iain Duncan Smith will not be attending the only hustings event organised in his constituency, it has been confirmed. 

The Chingford and Woodford Green MP of 23 years initially said he "will do his best" to attend the debate. 

But due to a "late change in his schedule", there will now be no Conservative representative at tonight's sold-out event at Woodford Memorial Hall in High Road, South Woodford. 

Chaired by Reverend Ian Tarrant of St Mary's Church and assisted by Rabbi Richard Jacobi from Woodford Liberal Synagogue, the two-hour event will be split into two sections. 

The most popular questions sent in from the public will be put to the five candidates and the second hour will be comprised of questions from the floor. 

Those stepping up to the challenge include Liberal Democrat candidate, Anne Crook, Labour's Bilal Mahmood, UKIP's Freddy Vachha, Class War's Lisa McKenzie and Rebecca Tully of the Green Party. 

Mr Duncan Smith, said: "Unfortunately, due to a late change to my schedule, these things often happen, it will no longer be possible for me to attend the event this evening.

"As local people will know I enjoy these election events and take them seriously, I have suggested that a substitute take my place.

"At this time the organisers are not willing to allow a substitute to stand in for me, I have arranged for the answers I would have given to the first three questions to be posted on the Facebook page for the event and if anybody has any further questions, these can be e-mailed to info@cwgca.org.

"I am always eager for people to raise questions to me and am happy to continue taking them".

Over 160 tickets have been issued for tonight's debate.