THE ancient borough of Christchurch, as safe a seat as any Tory could wish for?

The town has an established reputation as a retirement home for people from all around the UK, and indeed the constituency has the highest proportion of over-60s of any seat, and is commonly associated with conservative, traditionalist views.

Many residents take great pride in the town's traditions and historic connections.

At the 2015 election the Conservative Party picked retained the seat with a majority of 18,224, or 36.7 per cent, with UKIP in second place on 21.5 per cent.

Also, to many Christchurch is among the most pro-Brexit seats in the country. During last year's referendum nearly a third more residents voted leave than remain.

Back in March Tory Christchurch then-MP Christopher Chope, who will go head-to-head with Labour's Patrick Canavan, the Liberal Democrats' Michael Cox and Chris Rigby of the Green Party on June 8, expressed in parliament the hope that Britain would scrap "ghastly" EU legislation.

However more than 12,000 residents of the town opposed Brexit, and just last month a spoof sign banning 'foreign dogs' and stating 'Brexit and what it means to you' was stuck to a lamppost in St Catherine's Hill.

And the Echo's walk around town revealed a wide range of opinion on Brexit as well as other topics.

Jonathan Barrett, 54, grew up in Christchurch. He said: "I'm not really with anything the major parties say. I want to stay in Europe and I have thought about the Liberal Democrats but I don't agree with legalising cannabis.

"I would vote for Respect but I can't around here. I feel a bit left out."

David Buckle, 78, a retired soldier, said: "To be quite honest I am disappointed with all of them. I have not had a rise in my army pension for three years, and we got little out of it."

Mr Buckle said he would back the Tories despite his reservations, adding: "In 1945 when they got in the first thing Labour did was reduce rations for the services."

Asked whether he backed Brexit he said simply: "Yes, out."

Christchurch resident Jill Cliffton, 53, said she would like to see a change to the status quo, but was not optimistic about it. "It is all Tory round here, others have got no chance, it doesn't matter what I vote," she said.

Dean Davis, 47, recently moved to Mudeford from London for work purposes. His priorities in this election were: "Schools, the NHS, the way we deal with leaving Europe, which we shouldn't have done."

He added: "I don't particularly like the leadership of the Labour Party at the moment, but I would never vote Conservative. Never have done, never will. So it is a bit pointless living here."

Theresa May had the backing of Marilyn McEwen, 64, who said: "She thinks carefully and I am quite sure she will do what is best for the country."

She said the town has seen "radical change" citing pressure on local services she believes is caused by immigration.

Tony Hutton, 66, is backing the Tories. The Somerford resident said: "I voted the other way, to stay in Europe, but now we are leaving someone has got to do it and do it properly. I think they will be better than the others.

"It is very Tory round here, though it depends which parts you go to."

Wayne Barraball, 60, from just over the border in Tuckton, said he was backing Labour.

"Brexit is going to be a big issue, and how are the parties going to fund their spending plans," he said.

"A lot of people won't vote for Labour but we might be in for a bit of a surprise. I think their manifesto is excellent provided it can be funded."