A chart-topping singer turned anti-sewage campaigner has said the leader of Norfolk County Council's criticism of him "reeks of desperation".

Feargal Sharkey has been advocating for the Labour Party in the Waveney Valley constituency, endorsing Gurpreet Padda in Bungay.

He met alongside the parliamentary candidate and supporters on the banks of the river at the Bungay Staithe, where he gave a speech.

The former Undertones frontman has been a high-profile critic of the government and water companies over the pollution of rivers.

It saw Norfolk County Council leader, Kay Mason Billig, react with scorn when his name was brought up during a council debate about nutrient neutrality rules.

Gurpreet Padda and Fergal Sharkey crossing the footbridge at Bungay StaitheGurpreet Padda and Feargal Sharkey crossing the footbridge at Bungay Staithe (Image: Denise Bradley)

In October last year, she hit out at The Undertones frontman, saying: "To quote Feargal Sharkey? Well, let's face it, the last time he said something useful was 1985 when he said 'a good heart is hard to find'."

Kay Mason Billig hit out at Fergal Sharkey's campaigning at a meeting in OctoberKay Mason Billig hit out at Feargal Sharkey's campaigning at a meeting in October (Image: Norfolk County Council)

In response, Mr Sharkey said: "Anytime she would like a personal rendition of A Good Heart, let me know and I will happily be wherever she is and turn up and sing it.

"The simple truth of the matter is that it absolutely reeks of desperation and that is a reflection of where the Tory Party is right now.

"That is where the Tory Party is, clutching at things which aren't even a straw.

"It is people who have been out manoeuvred, outwitted, out strategised, out thought and have completely lost the confidence of the people.

"And can I quietly suggest that there are a few other songs that I recommend she should listen to and I would quite happily send her a Spotify list."

Fergal Sharkey and Jess Asato arrive at the Lido on a boatFeargal Sharkey and Jess Asato arrive at the Lido on a boat (Image: Submitted)

Earlier that day, Mr Sharkey joined Jess Asato, Labour’s Lowestoft parliamentary candidate at the moorings outside Beccles Lido on the River Waveney where he endorsed her to be the next MP and said she was the woman to keep the river clean.

They were joined by local business owners, including Shaun Crowley from the lido, which operates canoe hire and Big Dog Ferry on the river, river users and campaigners including a group of wild swimmers who took to the water.

Mary and Simon Sparrow, from Hippersons Boatyard, skippered them down the River Waveney on an electric boat.

Adrian Ramsey and Green supporters in the River Waveney in Bungay campaigningAdrian Ramsay and Green supporters in the River Waveney in Bungay campaigning (Image: Submitted)

The Waveney Valley has become a fiercely contested battleground with the polls edging the Greens as favourites to win the seat.

Just a day earlier the Green Party co-leader and candidate for the Waveney Valley, Adrian Ramsay, had been in Bungay speaking with the electorate and wading out in the river.

The Labour candidate for Waveney said she was "confident" about her chances of winning on July 4 and said she "does not feel threatened" by the Greens.

Other Waveney Valley candidates are Richard Rout (Conservative), Maya Severyn (SDP) and John Shreeve (Liberal Democrat) and Scott Huggins (Reform.)

The other Lowestoft candidates are Adam Robertson (Liberal Democrat) Toby Hammond (the Green Party), June Mummery (Reform) and Peter Aldous (Conservative).

Gurpreet Padda and Fergal Sharkey speaking with members of the public at Bungay StaitheGurpreet Padda and Feargal Sharkey speaking with members of the public at Bungay Staithe (Image: Denise Bradley)