A MASSIVE survey aims to ask 10,000 York householders for their opinions on virtually every election issue.

The city's Liberal Democrat candidate, Andrew Waller, is posting questionnaires through residents' letter boxes.

And he claims their answers will influence the thinking of York's next MP.

He said: "As far as I know, this is the only attempt being made by any candidate which actually gives local residents a say on some of the major issues which will face the new MP."

The survey asks for opinions on issues including taxation, crime, the health service, transport and the environment.

Respondents are asked if they agree or disagree with statements such as "crime control has got better over the last four years" and "I would be prepared to pay an extra 1p in the pound income tax if it were spent on improving the health service."

And it asks about local issues including the quality of bus services and the level of consultation carried out by York's previous MP.

Councillor Waller's agent, Steve Galloway, said: "So far we have received about 1,000 completed forms, which is a very high return and which we are pleased about.

"We are seeing large majorities of returns favouring more money being spent on the health service, while small majorities are in favour of more spending on police, transport and education.

"However, the survey has not finished and we are expecting a lot more responses, so that could change."

Coun Waller, along with the other York candidates, has been invited to meet trade unionists tonight at a hustings event organised by the York branch of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union.

Top of the agenda will be a discussion about the impact of privatisation of the railway industry, and candidates will be asked their views.

The meeting is being held in the Jubilee Hotel, in Leeman Road, and starts at 7.30pm, with all trade unionists welcome.

Updated: 16:52 Thursday, May 31, 2001