A lack of affordable housing and the growing reliance on food banks will be the main focus of Labour’s new parliamentary candidate for Hitchin and Harpenden.

Rachel Burgin was selected at a hustings last Saturday and will also battle for the seat, held by Peter Lilley for the Tories, at next year’s General Election.

The 36-year-old said she was thrilled to have the opportunity to fight for residents in a community she knew so well, having lived in nearby Letchworth with her husband since 2010.

She said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been given this opportunity but the hard work starts here. I know the area well and I know the issues that matter to people. I’ve talked to lots of residents and what is clear is that, whether it’s because of the chronic lack of affordable housing, or the growing reliance on food banks to provide for working families, people are suffering at the hands of this Tory-led government.”

The practising lawyer went on: “Over the coming months my aim will be to show local voters that there is a credible alternative, and that voting for Labour offers them a better way forward.”