DORSET residents of a certain age may remember the phrase 'the man on the Clapham omnibus.'

It refers to an entirely hypothetical person, who is reasonably educated and intelligent, used by the UK law courts to decide whether a party has acted as a reasonable person would, against whom the defendant's conduct can be measured.

As part of our election coverage, we took a trip on a 1A Yellow bus from Bournemouth to Somerford on a sunny Tuesday morning to ask residents for their views ahead of May 7.

1. Lyn Matthews, 64, lollipop lady from Highcliffe, said: "You have got to show an interest in the elections. It seems to be in our faces all the time at the moment, when you turn on the radio or TV. The candidates only come round to see you because they want your vote. The issues for me are immigration across the country and the benefits system needs a massive revamp."

2. Diana Vinall, 57, care assistant from Birmingham, holidaying Bournemouth, said: "I worked for the NHS for 37 years before I got made redundant. I've had to go private now and our wages have been slashed right down to below minimum wage. They're slashing our money but we are still expected to provide the same level of care. You can't pay your bills. It's a juggling act."

3. Sean Holloway, 58, industrial pipe fitting plumber from Highcliffe, said: "The issues are work, immigration and spreading the wealth. Generally there is a lot of spin to get their point over. I don't think that they have a lot to offer between them. It's all false promises."

4. Stephanie Brown, 29, customer assistant from Somerford, said: "I don't know enough about politics to make an informed opinion. I'm just not interested in it. However, I would be interested if they made it easier to vote and used easier words. I have never voted as I don't see how my vote is going to count."

5. Diana Applin, late 30s, home-maker from Christchurch, said: "I don't think that any of them do anything worthwhile. I would like them to talk about people getting help with childcare from social services. I used to vote but I gave up as it's all a pack of lies."

6. Evelyn Ellis, 85, retired from Pokesdown, said: "I've always voted. We've got no say if we don't vote. I'm not interested in the SNP and I don't think the Conservatives will go with them in a coalition. I don't want another coalition but if that is the case, I would like it to be with Lib Dems again. I also think that there are too many people in the country. We've got to do something about immigration."