Election hopefuls are facing their toughest time on the doorsteps in recent memory, with frustrations over national politics proving a significant obstacle.

Eastern Daily Press: Members of the Great Yarmouth Labour group canvassing in Gorleston. Picture: David HannantMembers of the Great Yarmouth Labour group canvassing in Gorleston. Picture: David Hannant (Image: Archant)

With the local elections looming, recent weeks have seen reports of candidates receiving abuse while canvassing and one hopeful in Great Yarmouth - Cathy Cordiner-Achenbach - punched on the trail.

To gauge feeling on the doorstep, the local democracy reporting service joined members of the Labour group on the campaign trail in the Great Yarmouth borough - the county's most Brexit-favouring area.

In the space of around 90 minutes, four candidates - group leader Trevor Wainwright, Brian and Coleeen Walker and Mike Smith-Clare - visited around 100 homes, either speaking to voters or posting leaflets.

And it soon became apparent that frustrations over Westminster were a recurring theme, casting a shadow over the local campaigns.

Eastern Daily Press: Members of the Great Yarmouth Labour group canvassing in Gorleston. Picture: David HannantMembers of the Great Yarmouth Labour group canvassing in Gorleston. Picture: David Hannant (Image: Archant)

One voter in particular told Mrs Walker she would not be voting in the local election because she was 'sick of bloody politics'.

Stuart Hellingsworth, a party member who was assisting in the canvassing, said: 'There is a real frustration with people in Westminster that has been having a real impact.

'There are always people that don't engage with politics, but I feel these types of people have been pushed to the next level - those who previously would have just said no, thank you, are now being a lot blunter and we've had the occasional eff off.'

At one point Mr Smith-Clare found himself engaged in heated discussion around another national issue, foreign aid - something also outside of the local agenda.

Eastern Daily Press: Members of the Great Yarmouth Labour group canvassing in Gorleston. Picture: David HannantMembers of the Great Yarmouth Labour group canvassing in Gorleston. Picture: David Hannant (Image: Archant)

After, he said: 'All too often people can take things they see on social media as gospel and allow them to mould their political views. I feel there needs to be better education of which responsibilities lie at a local level and which are dealt with nationally.'

Conservative group leader Graham Plant said he had encountered similar trends on the trail.

He said: 'People are feeling really let down by the process in Westminster, which has an impact.

'However, I honestly can't remember there being any local election where there hasn't been something happening in Westminster that has interfered.

Eastern Daily Press: Members of the Great Yarmouth Labour group canvassing in Gorleston. Picture: David HannantMembers of the Great Yarmouth Labour group canvassing in Gorleston. Picture: David Hannant (Image: Archant)

'Personally, I have not encountered any violence or aggression, but you can tell people are just really cheesed off with politics in general.'

Eastern Daily Press: Great Yarmouth Borough Council leader Graham Plant, right, said he has encountered frustration on the doorsteps. Picture: Nick ButcherGreat Yarmouth Borough Council leader Graham Plant, right, said he has encountered frustration on the doorsteps. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant � 2017)