'They don't seem to think we exist down here'

The Camborne and Redruth constituency stretches from the north to the south coast of Cornwall

Once rich in tin and copper mining, the Cornish town of Camborne is in need of rejuvenation, residents say. However, they do not think politicians will make a difference.

"As a country, we're in a shocking state and it's only going to get worse," says former miner Paul Franczak.

He had worked at Wheal Pendarves, a former tin mine about a mile (1.5km) from Camborne, before it closed in 1985.

In its heyday, the Camborne and Redruth area was known as the capital of Cornish mining as it had the highest concentration of mining sites anywhere in the world.

Paul Franczak thinks the country is in a "shocking state"

In 2012 a report to the government said: "Following the collapse of the mining and associated industries in the 19th and 20th centuries the area went into a period of prolonged decline."

Data from the latest census shows problems persist, with much of Camborne classified as being among the most deprived areas in the UK, like many other former industrial heartlands that have lost their major employers.

In a move that could bring jobs to the town, work is under way to revive a nearby tin and copper mine that shut in 1998.

Cornish Metals is hoping to get South Crofty Mine, located in the village of Pool, halfway between Camborne and Redruth, operational by 2026 to support a "growing demand" for tin.

Once in production, the firm expects the mine will directly employ 275-300 people.

Mr Franczak, who has lived in Camborne all his life, says the west Cornwall town needs "a good lift-up".

He thinks it needs more activities and more shops as many in the town are closing down.

"People are looking for homes and can't find them," he says.

Ann Petters says she is interested in politics, but does not think voting will bring any change

On the high street there are some boarded up shops, with grand granite buildings rising above them.

In a small square off the high street a weekly market is being held.

Browsing the stalls, Ann Petters says she thinks part of the problem for Camborne is that central government is some 300 miles (480km) away.

"The other side of the Tamar Bridge [that connects Cornwall with Devon], they don't think we exist down here," the 78-year-old says.

"Once you get to Plymouth they seem to cut us off."

'We need help'

Ms Petters says she and her friends find it hard to get doctor and dental appointments and some of them have stopped trying.

Although she is very interested in politics, she does not think voting will bring any change.

"They all say they're going to do it but when they get in, it doesn't happen," she says.

"We're the same as anywhere, we need help and we need things here."

The Camborne and Redruth area once had the highest concentration of mining sites anywhere in the world

The Camborne and Redruth constituency stretches from the north to the south coast of Cornwall.

Along the north coast, it covers from Hayle to Porthtowan and on the south coast it covers the Gweek area, narrowly missing both Helston and Falmouth.

The seat has been held by Conservative George Eustice since 2010, who won a 8,700 majority in 2019.

In January he announced he would be standing down ahead of this election.

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Manning one of the stalls at the weekly market selling fresh produce and plants is Debbie Taylor.

She says Camborne needs to be "nicer and safer", with the police, schools and the NHS all needing to be improved.

"We get lots of promises and they just don't come to fruition - you get cynical in the end," she adds.

Mary Manaton wants youth clubs to give young people something to do

Around the corner on Chapel Street there is an Art Deco building which now acts as a bingo and slot machine hall.

Outside Mary Manaton is heading into town after buying a dress from a nearby shop.

She says Camborne needs rebuilding and there should be youth clubs, but she does not believe the town's problems will be addressed.

"It's not going to change, whoever's in, I don't think it's going to make a blind bit of difference," she says.

A craft club in a Grade II listed Greek Revival building is being expanded due to its popularity

Opposite the hall is a Grade II listed Greek Revival building that last year was transformed into a crafts hub with government and European Union funding.

The Donald Thomas Centre, named after a local businessman and philanthropist who gifted the building to the town in the 1960s, is currently being expanded due to its popularity, builder Ben Bailey working on site explains.

Some of the other buildings across the town make grand homes for coffee shops and pubs.

Heather Wraight says the town needs more funding

Outside one is Heather Wraight, who retired 10 years ago from being a care assistant for people with disabilities.

"The youth should have clubs like we used to have. We've got a bingo hall, but youngsters don't want that, do they?" she says.

The 71-year-old, who has lived in Camborne for 22 years, says she "would like to think a political party would be able to make a difference" but she does not think they will.

"Cornwall is an industry for tourism - Penzance and St Ives, they're all geared up for it - but where's Camborne?

"Camborne needs a lot of money chucked at it."

Full list of candidates for the Camborne and Redruth constituency:

• Connor Donnithorne - Conservative

• Robert Hawkins - Socialist Labour Party

• Catherine Hayes - Green

• Paul Holmes - Liberal

• Thalia Marrington - Liberal Democrats

• Perran Moon - Labour

• Roger Tarrant - Reform UK

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