The Green Party will contest the Copeland by-election on an anti-nuclear and anti-poverty campaign, it has announced.

It said it would bring a "renewable energy revolution which would create thousands of jobs in Copeland".

Members of Allerdale and Copeland Green Party made the decision to stand last night at the local party’s AGM.

A candidate will be selected on January 24.

Clare Brown, chairman of the Allerdale and Copeland Green Party, said: "We feel it’s vitally important to offer a vote to those people who want to see a fair and sustainable future for the area.

"There are clear differences between us and the other parties and we welcome this opportunity to campaign on our priorities, which include sustainable energy and standing against nuclear power, as well as anti-poverty measures and exposing the lie of austerity."

Jonathan Bartley, co-leader of the Green Party, said: "The Greens are the only party in Copeland campaigning against nuclear power, to defend the NHS and for a close relationship with Europe.

Current Copeland MP, Labour's Jamie Reed, is standing down at the end of this month to take a job at the Sellafield nuclear site.

Pundits say the poll for his replacement could be held on May 4, linking in with the county council elections. As the party that currently holds the seat, Labour has to formally move the by-election writ to select his replacement and can dictate the date constituents will go to the polls.

Labour are defending a majority of 2,564 in Copeland from 2015, making it the tightest by-election for the party since Jeremy Corbyn became leader.

The party has selected its all-female shortlist. Locals Barbara Cannon, Gillian Troughton and Rachel Holliday will fight it out for the nomination.

The Liberal Democrats have announced Cockermouth councillor and health campaigner Rebecca Hanson will be their candidate.

The Conservative Party and Ukip have yet to select their candidates. It is not known if any independents will contest the seat.