EUROPEAN election candidates will be quizzed on tackling poverty at a hustings in Glasgow this week.

The Poverty Alliance has organised a public meeting for the main parties to explain Europe's role in combating poverty.

The meeting is part of a day of action by campaign groups across the European Union.

The campaigners, working across 29 countries, are urging candidates in the poll later this month to sign its pledge to commit to fighting poverty, social exclusion and inequalities.

The Poverty Alliance has candidates from six parties attending the meeting at Renfield St Stephen's Church in Bath Street on Thursday at 6pm.

David Martin of the Labour Party, Chris Stephens of the SNP, Jamie Gardiner of the Conservatives. Jade Holden of the LibDems, Maggie Chapman of the Greens and David Coburn of UKIP will outline their plans if they are elected.

The elections to the European Parliament takes place on May 22, where Scotland will elect six MEPs under proportional representation.

Currently the SNP and Labour have two seats, with the Tories and LibDems having one each.

The Greens and UKIP are hopeful of taking the sixth seat in the vote from the Liberal Democrats this month.

At the last election, in 2009, the SNP topped the poll with 29% of the vote ahead of Labour on 21% with the Tories in third and LibDems in fourth.

Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance said: "With just over two weeks left until the polls open and many voters still undecided, the hustings will be an opportunity for voters to quiz the candidates on the issues that matter to them.

"We know that issues of poverty and social justice are high on the agenda for many voters and this event will allow the public to find out where each of the candidates stands in relation to Europe and how the European Parliament can tackle poverty in Scotland.

"We hope to generate as much debate as possible in the run-up to polling day.

The EAPN pledge states: "If elected, I commit to make the fight against poverty, social exclusion and inequality a priority item on the Parliament and EU agenda."

Three other parties, Britain First, No to EU and the BNP, are also contesting the elections.