OVER the coming months we will be speaking to the candidates for Warrington's two seats at the General Election - this week, the Green Party's Warrington South candidate, Steph Davies.

Along with the Green Party's announcement over its candidate earlier this month came an added incentive to silence its party rivals.

Having been somewhat brushed away from the election landscape until the recent surge of support, the unthinkable is now more than a mere possibility.

The responsibility of claiming the seat lies with 46-year-old Great Sankey resident Steph Davies - but being the only woman involved in the race for the constituency hot seat is not phasing her.

"There are seasoned male politicians that I am up against but I think that makes it interesting and creates a better mix," she said.

"I am being realistic about my chances, though I think it is more open than ever and I don't think it is a three horse race, there is more to consider."

Without the national attention, the party would have struggled to achieve its rise in recognition but Miss Davies is ready to grasp the opportunity.

Whether or not the Greens can sustain a serious challenge remains to be seen but with the added interest from the younger generation, it seems certain the party will have a strong influence on who comes into power.

"Everyone in the north west is reporting the same surge since January - nationally membership has tripled and in Warrington it is 500 per cent higher than it was at the last election," said Miss Davies.

"There are a number of reasons for that including disillusionment for other parties, a growing interest in the environment and the fracking issues which are massive.

"A lot of our voters are young and that is growing in the town. Facebook is one of our main communication channels at the moment and helps us keep in touch with people, especially the younger generation."

Having lived in the town for 11 years, the issues which need to be addressed have become common knowledge for the candidate.

But ensuring people are aware that the party is not entirely focused on the environment remains a hurdle that needs to be countered.

"There are a lot of concerns around austerity and concerns of people on lower income or those who are unemployed," she said.

"A lot of people see the Greens as a single issue party but changing that is something we have worked very hard on over the last few years - the environment is fundamental to our being but it is not the only issue we campaign on, we are here for social justice and equality.

"I am also keen to keep services strong at a local level for the people of Warrington South.

"We are moving towards these massive health centres and reductions in public transport but I want things for people who cant travel and don't want to cross Warrington to get a health appointment - that is a a concern as they want decent services in their own communities.

"We have done a lot of work between this election and the last one, nationally and locally, to dispel the idea that we are purely about the environment but at the same time it is important to us as well."

The Warrington and Halton Green Party is set to welcome leader Natalie Bennett to the region on March 5 as preparations intensify.

"It is all about raising our profiled and getting our policies out there - it will be a busy time," added Miss Davies.