The Labour candidate for the region's newest constituency has insisted she is not running to make up the numbers - and intends to win the seat.

Some polls have portrayed Waveney Valley as a battle between the Conservatives, Greens and Reform UK.

But Labour's Dr Gurpreet Padda said that is not the impression she is getting on doorsteps in the cross-border constituency, which includes Diss and Harleston in Norfolk, plus Bungay and Eye in Suffolk.

Dr Gurpreet PaddaDr Gurpreet Padda (Image: Labour Party)

Dr Padda, who used to work as a scientist at the Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science laboratory in Lowestoft, said: "I have been out every day bar the odd rest day, stomping my feet and campaigning hard.

"I have engaged with thousands of people and I'd say 75pc of the ones I have spoken to have said they support Labour."

Labour candidate Dr Gurpreet Padda, with 100-year-old Alf Smith, who is backing her to win in Waveney ValleyLabour candidate Dr Gurpreet Padda, with 100-year-old Alf Smith, who is backing her to win in Waveney Valley (Image: Gurpreet Padda)

Dr Padda, a Norwich city councillor for Lakenham, said she had decided to stand due to disillusionment with "career politicians".

She said her background as a scientist stood her in good stead to tackle environmental and pollution issues.

But she acknowledged Labour's approach to National Grid's proposals for pylons to carry power generated by offshore wind farms frustrated some.

Those pylons, which would stretch from Dunston, near Norwich to Tilbury in Essex, are a major election issue.

Dr Padda said: "The other parties can promise the earth, but ultimately, it is a national infrastructure decision.

"The final decision is likely to be Ed Miliband's. I understand that people feel frustrated that Labour are not specifically saying yes or no to pylons.

"There are likely to have to be some tough decisions, but the final decision needs to be based on well-founded evidence."

Dr Padda said one of her priorities was to improve access to public transport for employment and to services such as GPs and dentists.

READ MORE: Norfolk and Waveney General Election 2024 candidate list

With the constituency covering Norfolk and Suffolk, when asked whether she supported Norwich City or Ipswich Town, the mother-of-two said one of her sons was a Canaries fan, but the other was a Liverpool fan.

Other Waveney Valley election candidates are: Scott Huggins (Reform UK), Adrian Ramsay (Green), Richard Rout (Conservative), Maya Severyn (SDP) and John Shreeve (Liberal Democrat).