BRITAIN’S only Green Party MP visited Hampshire to support one of their candidates in the county council elections.

Caroline Lucas was backing Councillor Alan Weeks, a former Liberal Democrat who is bidding to retain his Totton North seat after switching to the Greens in 2011.

Cllr Weeks is a former chairman of Totton and Eling Town Council and also served on the New Forest National Park Authority.

Ms Lucas, who has represented the Brighton Pavilion constituency since 2010, was the first elected leader of the Green Party. She was at the helm from 2008 until 2012, when she stood down to devote more time to her parliamentary duties.

During her visit to Totton she highlighted her support for local renewable energy and also stressed the need to protect small independent businesses.

Ms Lucas, 52, began by visiting Eling Tide Mill and other historic buildings in the area.

She also toured the town centre, where a number of small shops have closed, before inspecting the solar panels that have been installed on the roof of West Totton Community Centre.

Her schedule also included a trip to Testwood Lakes, a group of reservoirs that provide facilities for Sea Scouts and other sailors.