The Green Party has selected a teacher, actor and director to stand in the Leyton and Wanstead constituency at next year’s election.

Ashley Gunstock has been a member of the party for 25 years and stood in the constituency at the last election in 2010.

The Redbridge resident is an experienced campaigner, having stood for seats in the council, Greater London Authority and Westminster.

He is also a member of the Friends of the Earth group, with whom he works to influence borough planning decisions, and has been involved in anti-war and anti-fascist campaigns.

Stating his aims, Mr Gunstock, said: “Enough is enough.

“It’s about time that we take a more positive approach to the way we organise and conduct our lives.

“The so-called mainstream parties offer nothing but more of the same old tired and failed policies, while the alternative to us is crude in the extreme.

“Therefore I urge the electorate to take a good, true and long hard look at the vibrant, radical and relevant Green Party approach to issues such as immigration, the economy, crime and education, which affect us all – and seriously consider voting Green on May 7 2015.”

Labour’s John Cryer is the sitting MP, with a majority of 6,416.

Mr Gunstock polled 562 votes, coming in fifth behind the British National Party in 2010.

He has been an actor for 35 years and was an original cast member of The Bill.

He has his own theatre company and has toured the UK three times.

He is also an English teacher and qualified Football Association coach, whose interests include art, literature and sport.

He is married, with a 16-year-old son.

According to the Green Party, Its membership has grown by over 86 per cent this year and has candidates standing in 75 per cent of constituencies.