The Green Party has announced it will contest six of the nine seats in Penrith and Eden at the upcoming local elections.

Having only formed in September last year, the Penrith and Eden Green Party branch has become increasingly active.

They recently welcomed former party leader Natalie Bennett to the area as part of efforts to raise their profile, and members are now ready to run for seats on Cumbria County Council.

They include Penrith town councillor Doug Lawson, who will be contesting the Greystoke and Hesket county council seat.

He said: "I am very enthusiastic about standing for election as a Green Party county councillor. As a party we represent a really positive choice in a very confused political landscape."

Mr Lawson was co-opted onto the town council earlier this year after a seat became vacant.

He is also a community governor at Plumpton School, a member of Penrith Methodist Church and a volunteer with the local scout unit.

The full list of candidates will be announced soon and members will be out canvassing in the Plumpton area this weekend.

Richard O'Brien, Penrith and Eden Green Party branch secretary, said he is excited at the prospect of the party fielding so many candidates in the forthcoming elections, which take place in May.

“We want to offer people a choice to vote Green so they no longer have to vote for the same old tired politics. We are really looking forward to working to get a Green councillor onto the county council. I believe it is time for that to happen," he said.