A MOTHER of four has joined the General Election campaign, standing on behalf of the Green Party in the Torridge and West Devon constituency.

Although she admits her chances of becoming the next MP are low, Cathrine Simmons, 61, is hoping all parties will sit up and take notice of environmental issues.

Mrs Simmons, who works as an affordable housing officer at Mid Devon District Council, previously stood as a Parliamentary Prospective Candidate for North Devon in 1992.

But after living in Torrington for 26 years, she is pleased to be campaigning on her home ground.

She has a keen interest in politics and is a Torrington town councillor. She is closely involved with Torrington Green Group and is a keen gardener.

She would like to see an increase in 'green' jobs, which she believes would also boost the local economy.

She said: "Many people in the district have a lot of low paid jobs.

"Green jobs would bring both interesting and worthwhile jobs that would help the environment and save people money. Even those who don't believe in climate change need to look at getting fuel in the future — this is a local and sustainable source, which will save people money."

Mrs Simmons would also like to see more reliance on local food producers and people growing food in their own gardens.

She said: "In the future community is going to be much more important. We're going to have to rely on each other more as public finances are cut."

She hopes the constituents of Torridge and West Devon will all vote with their hearts on polling day.

She added: "In 1987 there was a huge Green vote and it made other parties sit up and take notice — it does have an influence."

Other Torridge candidates the

Journal

has confirmed will be running in the election are current MP Geoffrey Cox (Cons), Adam Symons (Lib Dem), Robin Julian (UKIP) and Darren Jones (Lab).