A sixth candidate has entered the race to become the Labour MP for East Worthing and Shoreham.

Cat Arnold, councillor for St Mary’s ward in Shoreham, has announced she will run to be Labour’s candidate for the constituency at the next general election.

Although Worthing has never elected a Labour MP, the party is hopeful of gaining at least one of the town’s two constituencies after gaining control of the local council last year.

Cllr Arnold, who has lived in the area for more than a decade, is also the founder of Adur Community Cafe, which provides “pay what you feel meals”, and CEO of Adur Voluntary Action, which supports local charities in the area.

She told The Argus: “From being a councillor for the past five years and CEO of two local charities, I have listened to our community, including residents, businesses, schools, social groups and many in the charity sector.

“They all cite infrastructure, neglect and under-investment from dentists and school education to our rundown social housing and the availability of affordable homes.

“From pressing Adur District Council into recognising a climate emergency to setting up a parent lobby group to enable more secondary school places, I have been at the heart of my community having lived here for 13 years.”

She said that her focus if selected would be on protecting public services, enabling more social housing, and protecting the environment from damage and pollution.

“I stand for protecting our environment and coastal communities as part of my campaign to gain this parliamentary seat,” Cllr Arnold said.

“I am ready to work for community and country.”

Five other Labour members are also vying to become the party’s candidate for the constituency; Scott Gilfillan, who is head of policy for Labour Party chairwoman Annelise Dodds, former Labour candidate for Loughborough Stuart Brady, Lambeth councillor Tom Rutland, deputy leader of Worthing Borough Council Carl Walker and chairman of the GMB union’s ethnic minority network Abdi Mohamed.

East Worthing and Shoreham is currently represented by Conservative Tim Loughton, who has served as MP for the area since 1997.

Nominations to be Labour's candidate in the constituency, as well as in the neighbouring seat of Worthing West, close on Thursday, October 26.

Voters are expected to go to the polls for the general election sometime next year.