The Labour Party in Fenland has doubled in size in the last two years amid news that the group has elected a new chairman.

Membership stands at around 300 and counting say the North East Cambridgeshire Labour Party (CLP) who have elected Sue Marshall of Wisbech as the new chairman.

The CLP meets monthly while Wisbech branch and a revived Chatteris, March and Whittlesey branch hold regular meetings.

Former senior local government officer Sue said: “We hope to harness the new enthusiasm in the local Labour party to get the message across that Labour is the natural representative for Fenland.

“Conservatives continue to dominate an area containing pockets of great social deprivation, where many British and immigrant workers are struggling on low-paid jobs.

“Ideologically-driven policies are causing crises in the NHS and other public services and in the future the low-paid, sick and disabled will see their benefits threatened.”

CLP vice-chairman Roger Ward, a local party activist of 40 years, said: “I welcome the new members and expect to greet many more as people see the impact of Tory austerity and recognise its unfairness.”