Plea to leave cars at home

West Midlands-based parliamentary hopeful Kate Spohrer today urged people to think before using their cars, at the start of Green Transport Week.

Ms Spohrer is Wyre Forest Green Party's general election candidate.

She lives in Wolverley, near Kidderminster, and recently began her own business working from home rather than face traffic jams.

She said: "Green Transport Week aims to raise awareness of transport impact on the environment, highlight transport alternatives, make people stop and think before they go somewhere, and send a message to the Government on green transport and environmental issues.

"I firmly believe that quality of life can be greatly improved by a more simple lifestyle and that many more people would make the same step as I did, if only they had the confidence to do so.

"Sadly, however, the other main political parties keep preventing ordinary people from being able to make these choices, because economically they simply don't allow us the choices.

"I am particularly concerned about the effects our modern transport and shopping habits are having on our health, environment and well-being."

Ms Spohrer is a founder member of Wyre Forest Green Party and this will be the first time that the members have contested the parliamentary seat of Wyre Forest.