LABOUR candidate Tosca Cabello-Watson, 23, is hoping to become the youngest member of Gloucestershire County Council.


Stroud Labour Party has selected Tosca as its candidate for the Stroud East ward in the county council elections in May.


It is currently represented by Green Party member Sarah Lunnon.


"I am very pleased to be selected as the Labour candidate," said Tosca.


"And I'm looking forward to campaigning over the next three months."


Tosca, who grew up in Cashes Green, Stroud and studied international conflict at university, believes her age means she can bring a fresh perspective to the way the council works.


She now lives on a boat on the Sharpness Canal - in part because she cannot afford to live in Stroud  - and is training to be a mechanic.


Among the issues she is concerned about are low wages and the lack of jobs in the Stroud area - especially the number of young people who remain unemployed for more than a year.


"We've been building houses and ignoring the need for jobs," she said.


"If I am elected I will work hard to get a much better deal for Stroud, there is no good reason why Stroud can't become the first living wage town in the country."