The seaside community of Hove and Portslade is unaccustomed to the national spotlight. With its elegant Regency houses and air of gentility, its denizens normally eke out their days in comfortable obscurity a world away from their brash Brighton neighbour.

However, in the next four weeks they are likely to receive far more attention than any single group of electors should have to endure. For the East Sussex constituency is one of the key marginals that will determine the outcome of the general election.