SHADOW Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry is tomorrow (Saturday) visiting Dursley and Slimbridge to support local Labour councillors and help out in the Berkeley Vale by-election.

The Labour frontbencher will canvass alongside council candidate Liz Ashton in the afternoon, having first addressed a conference at which local members are putting forward ideas to include in next year’s district council election.

Emily Thornberry said: “With the Tories slashing local services and starving councils of cash, it's vital that we get Labour councillors elected to stand up for our communities and the local services they need. I’m very pleased to support our experienced and popular candidate, Liz Ashton, in her goal to get elected and carry on Labour’s good work.”

Stroud District Council leader Doina Cornell said: “Our members play a key role in ensuring there’s a strong Labour voice in our communities, so it’s only right they should have a strong voice in our manifesto too, and I’m delighted Emily is coming down to support us.”

The conference will be opened by Cllr Joe Ejiofor, the leader of Haringey Council, who will later play a set at the Dursley DJs Rave4Dave with David Drew.