A candidate to become Worcester's parliamentary candidate for Labour has launched her campaign with the backing of Britain’s second largest trade union.

Unite the Union has given Emma Randle's candidacy its official endorsement.before the hustings on November 24, where Labour members will choose their preferred candidate.

Ms Randle, 48, originally worked in health care and has been a trade unionist all her career, being a member of Unite.

She said: “Unite is a trade union but we also have a political strategy and so I was able to take part in various training and leadership programmes.

“I have been an activist for a while now but in terms of politics, I came on board with the Labour Party after the 2015 election when Jeremy Corbyn became leader.”

“If you work in health care you see how bad the situation has got for those people and if you are empathetic it inspires you to try and do something and really make a difference in people’s lives.”

If she were to become Worcester’s parliamentary candidate or future MP, Ms Randle’s pledges are to redefine affordable housing, give increased funding to homeless shelters, pause and scrap the rollout of universal credit in Worcester and bring about ‘significant improvements’ to care and service delivery at Worcester Royal.

When asked about her potential candidacy, Ms Randle said: "As a marginal seat, Worcester needs a PPC who has a breadth of life and work experience, and who has the ability to reach out and communicate a message of hope to the community.”