NIGHTCLUBS and politicians don't normally go hand-in-hand.

But Swindon MP Michael Wills plans to make his visits to a town nightspot a regular event, after his second trip to the Brunel Rooms on Saturday night.

The MP mixed with nearly 1,000 clubbers to discuss issues that affect them in a bid to get closer to the younger generation.

Five Swindon parliamentary candidates visited the club in May to try and swing first-time voters.

Clubbers who are normally too wrapped up in the latest dance tracks to chat to an MP flocked round Mr Wills as he talked about issues ranging from the decriminalisation of cannabis to the facilities for Swindon's young people.

Mr Wills, who spent more than two hours with clubbers, said he was planning on making it a regular feature.

He said: "This was better than during the election. People were more relaxed and I felt very pleased that somebody said to me all politicians should start doing activities like this.

"I am definitely going back and want to try and make it a regular thing as I think this is the way to reach Swindon's youth.

"We talked about decriminalising cannabis and one woman's grandfather had MS so we were talking about the availability of the drug beta interferon.

"From my point of view they all said they had never talked to or approached an MP before so it seems like a good idea. I didn't want to intrude on their Saturday nights but they seemed to enjoy it."

Jo Lampard, 18, of West Swindon, said she thought the visit was a good way of finding out what young people thought: "You wouldn't expect to see an MP in a club but it's good that he has come to our sort of place to talk to us," she said.

"We were talking about parks and the taking away of open spaces in the town."

Jodie Leftwich, 20, of Freshbrook, said: "I don't know about most people but I wouldn't actually go up to an MP and approach him about an issue normally. I think it is something he could definitely do more often."

However, Charlotte Dowding, 19, of Toothill, said approaching young people in clubs would not always get the right result: "A club is not the type of place you want to have a serious discussion," she said.

"You are here for one thing to have fun. Most people will be high on drink and won't give honest opinions."

James Pitt-Drake, 20, of Shaw, said he felt MPs wouldn't always be appreciated in nightclubs.

"I suppose it is getting used to other cultures and helping them relate to young people. But I am here to have a laugh and don't fancy talking about politics."