The number of church hustings registered on CARE’s election website Make the Cross Count broke through the 200 mark over the weekend, with more than 220 church hustings now registered.

Nola Leach CARE’s chief executive said the number of hustings registrations surpassed all expectations.

"When we set out we hoped we might get 50, never expecting that two weeks into the campaign we would have over 200!" she said.

"We continue to be unaware of any larger single source of hustings. It’s wonderful to see the church playing such a strategic role during this election."

The Make the Cross Count website also includes information on key policy issues from a Christian perspective, including suggested questions for candidates, to help people prepare for hustings.

Dan Boucher, CARE’s director of parliamentary affairs said of the site, which addresses subjects as diverse as human trafficking and euthanasia, child poverty and religious liberty.

He said: "We really hope that Make the Cross Count empowers Christians to make the most of their hustings and to ask challenging questions, putting Christian concerns and priorities right at the heart of this election."