A teacher has been chosen to stand as the Green Party’s candidate in the Queen’s Park by-election.

Luke Walker, who has lived in the ward for 11 years and Brighton for over 20 years, is hoping to gain the seat on Brighton and Hove City Council following the resignation of Chandni Mistry earlier this month.

Mr Walker is a Green campaigner, a writer and a keen gardener on his allotment.

The 46-year-old father said he is passionate about protecting local services.

He said he would serve the ward “diligently” and would help make the lives of residents better.

The by-election was triggered following the departure of Ms Mistry and Bharti Gajjar, who represented Kemp Town.

The pair faced allegations that they did not live in the area and were expelled from the Labour Party but continued to sit on the council as independent councillors until they resigned earlier this month.

Sussex Police launched an investigation into allegations of electoral malpractice and complaints were also filed with the council’s audit and standards committee.

Ms Mistry, who served as a councillor for Queen’s Park, denied the allegations to The Argus and claimed she lived “in the heart of Brighton”.

Sussex Police said there was “insufficient evidence” to support a charge.

On her resignation, Ms Mistry said: “To be Brighton’s youngest councillor has been truly an honour.

“However, I am a full-time student, and combining this with my public duties has been a tremendous amount of pressure. Now is the right time to walk away from local politics.”

Ms Gajjar told The Argus when she resigned: “Since I was elected, circumstances in my life have changed significantly.

“I have been affected by serious health issues and preoccupied with supporting members of my family going through personal difficulties.

“I have also recommenced my studies in medicine, which naturally require a significant time commitment.

“As such, I have decided to step back from my role on the council. It has been an immense privilege to serve my community and more than anything I will miss the interactions with the residents whose causes I take up.”

Mr Walker said residents have been left with a “bill of tens of thousands of pounds for the council to hold these elections, three years before time”.

The by-election in the central Brighton neighbourhood will take place on Thursday, May 2.