'I didn't expect a general election until the autumn'

Ellie Freeman said Peterborough's retailers needed investment to bring in visitors

On 4 July the country will go to the polls to vote in the next general election. In one city people said politicians pledging to fix the health service and allocate more local investment would be major factors in winning their vote.

Rishi Sunak's announcement has ended months of speculation about when a general election would take place. In Peterborough the BBC spoke to people to ask what issues they wanted to see addressed during the next six weeks.

"[The general election] was a bit of a surprise," said Ellie Freeman, 43, an NHS worker in Peterborough. "I wasn't expecting it until the autumn."

Ms Freeman said more investment in the NHS would win her vote, especially mental health services.

She added that Peterborough needed investment to attract more shoppers.

"It [needs] investment in retail," she said. "There are not a lot [of shops] to come into the city centre for."

'Country needs a change'

Chloe Brewer singled out NHS waiting lists and childcare provision as election issues

Chloe Brewer, 36, said she would be definitely voting, but not for the Conservative Party. "This country needs a huge change across the board," she said.

Ms Brewer said several issues needed attention, including childcare provision for working parents, the benefits system and NHS waiting lists.

"I've had a direct impact from most of these things and it's just not good enough," she said.

'The world's in crisis'

Paul Morarji said the cost-of-living crisis was a major issue in Peterborough

Paul Morarji, who owns a menswear shop in Peterborough, emphasised that "you've got to give the Conservatives a chance".

"It's no good having one party leading something and then another party comes in and wrecks everything it has done," he said.

Paul said the cost-of-living crisis was a major issue in Peterborough, and across the globe.

"The whole world's in crisis," he said. "Peterborough isn't the only city that's suffering, or England, the whole world is."

'Roads are in poor condition'

Karl Jackson said local roads were not being properly maintained

Karl Jackson said he was going to follow this election closely. "I'm going to change my vote, I was Conservative," he said.

He wanted investment in road infrastructure to receive attention during the election campaign.

"Especially when you're driving a bus, the roads are in poor condition, they're not properly maintained," he said.