GREEN Party members in Worcestershire have launched their county council manifesto - with a "zero waste" strategy among their key proposals.

The Greens are the first of the major parties to unveil their plans for the county ahead of local elections on Thursday, May 5.

Their nine-page manifesto focuses on the environment but also includes recommendations for social services and education.

The key aims are:

n Draw up a "zero waste" philosophy with a view to eliminate landfill by 2015.

n Introduce 20mph speed limits in residential areas and 50mph on most rural roads.

n Offer to house asylum seekers from Africa under a UN scheme.

n Oppose the "creeping privatisation" of schools.

"This manifesto sets out our vision for a green Worcestershire - a vision many voters share. All that is preventing its fruition is a lack of political will at County Hall," said spokesman Robert Wilkins, from Worcester.

"In Malvern Hills, the Green Party has had five district councillors and five town councillors and been a strong presence in local politics.

"We now have a vibrant new Worcester Green Party which hopes to emulate that success. With a voice on the county council, we can still do more. This is our blueprint for real progress on a better quality of life for the people of Worcestershire."

Candidates will be running for seats across the county, with nominees in all 10 Worcester divisions and all eight in Malvern Hills.

The party's Worcester branch celebrated its first birthday in January and announced that Malvern-based campaigner Chris Lennard would run in any General Election in the city.

He polled 10,000 votes at the European elections last June and the party is confident of attracting more supporters this year.

What do you think? Tell us your views by contacting the Evening News at: wenletters@thisisworcester.co.uk or write to the Evening News Letters Page, Hylton Road, Worcester, WR2 5JX.