GREEN Party candidates in Colchester have pledged to create a Civil War Museum if voted to power in the borough elections next month.

The party does not have any councillors on Colchester Council but has fielded candidates in all 17 wards where voters will go to the polls on May 3.

One of key seats being targeted by the party is Castle ward, where Mark Goacher hopes for success over the Conservatives' Simon Crow, Labour's Norma Dinnieweall and the Lib Dems' Jo Hayes.

Launching their manifesto, the party has said it will improve leisure and tourism.

They add: "We will work for the addition of a Civil War Museum and liaise with battle re-enactment groups with a view to staging more public events.

"We will explore ways of promoting Colchester's medieval heritage such as improving the St John's Abbey and St Botolph's Priory sites with better signage and/or visitor facilities."

Air quality is one of the party's top priorities and say its own monitoring earlier this year revealed very high levels of pollution in several Castle ward streets including North Station Road and East Hill.

It pledges to tackle air pollution by "enforcing the law on engine idling" as well as aiming to reduce traffic flow at key points, exploring shuttle bus schemes and even introducing a 20mph speed limit in residential areas.

In addition, "heritage-based water fountains", created by artists and placed in central Colchester would reduce the consumption of bottled water, they add.

As part of the party's policy on animal welfare, it would ensure that all council-run catering services provide vegetarian and vegan options.

This Saturday the party's campaign looks set to be boosted by a visit from Baroness Jenny Jones, the Green Party member of the House of Lords to Firstsite, Colchester.

Between 1pm and 2pm there will be a public meeting for Baroness Jones to talk about her role and answer questions.

During the rest of the morning and afternoon Baroness Jones will join Mr Goacher and his campaign team to speak to residents in Castle ward.

Baroness Jones's many roles have included Deputy Mayor for London and was the London Mayor’s Green Transport Adviser and Road Safety Ambassador.