A community worker "infuriated and frustrated" at the need for food banks has been chosen by the Green Party to challenge Iain Duncan-Smith at the election.

It was announced this week that Rebecca Tully will be the Green’s parliamentary candidate for Chingford and Woodford Green.

She will be standing against Work and Pensions Secretary Conservative Iain Duncan-Smith, who has been MP for the area since 1992, Lib Dem's Anne Crook and Labour's Bilal Mahmood on May 7.

Ms Tully is a professional trainer who for six years has vounteered for Voluntary Action Waltham Forest and Chingford-based food growing cooperative OrganicLea.

If elected she said she would seek to reverse privatisation of public services and cuts to welfare.

Ms Tully said: “In the three years I’ve lived in Waltham Forest I have become connected to the community through working with local groups, both professionally as a trainer, manager of community projects and as a volunteer.

“I love hearing people’s stories, and luckily in my job, I get to hear plenty.

“These stories are often about the absolute best of people - young volunteers, community campaigners, loyal supporters of local trade - they are also about the absolute worst of policies. 

“Whilst it is inspirational to see volunteers and donations flooding into food banks, I am infuriated and frustrated at the benefits caps and sanctions that make that food bank even necessary.

“This year, at this election we have a chance to change the story.”