THE Green Party has decided which candidates will battle it out against rival parties in the upcoming General Election.

The party has selected Mark Goacher as its candidate for Colchester.

Mr Goacher has taught History at Colchester Sixth Form College for 27 years and was the Green Party candidate for Colchester in the 2015 election.

In last year’s borough council elections, he came within 21 votes of victory in the Castle ward.

He said: “I am very pleased to be standing again in Colchester.

“Our town needs an independent Green voice at the heart of Westminster and I will be campaigning hard on the issues that matter.

“I will be pushing for better public services, protection of our environment and social justice.”

Mr Goacher will stand against Conservative MP Will Quince, Lib Dem veteran Bob Russell and Labour candidate Tim Young.

UKIP has yet to announce its candidate, but is expected to field previous runner John Pitts.

In the neighbouring constituency of Harwich and North Essex, political newcomer Blake Roberts has been selected for the Green Party.

The 24-year-old journalist said: “I am really excited to have been selected as the Green Party candidate for Harwich and North

Essex.“Having lived in this constituency all my life, I have seen the damage done by having a Tory MP and a Conservative government wrecking our country. “ “It is time for a fresh voice to stop them from creating even more chaos.”

He added: “Our NHS is on its last legs thanks to the Conservative government’s insistence on stripping away its funding and selling it off bit by bit.

“It is in need of saving and re-investment, something I would make my foremost priority if elected to serve the people of Harwich and North Essex.

“I look forward to standing on a platform with Bernard Jenkin MP, and holding him to account over the mess that his party has created.”

Mr Roberts will stand against Conservative candidate Bernard Jenkin, Labour candidate Rosalind Scott, Dominic Graham for the Lib Dems and UKIP candidate Aaron Hammond.