The Green Party has said it is "confident of further gains" in next month's local elections.

On Wednesday the party said it would be fielding 1,300 candidates across the country.

And in London some 95 per cent of boroughs will have Green candidates.

"With a total of 70 sitting councillors already, and over 1,300 candidates, the Greens are the emerging force in local government, where they have made steady gains despite the first past the post system that makes representation difficult for smaller political parties," said elections co-ordinator Peter Cranie.

"We are confident of further gains, particularly in the London boroughs, and are the strongest challengers to Labour and the Liberal Democrats in a number of wards."

London AM Jenny Jones AM pointed to research suggesting the party in the capital could do well in Lewisham, Hackney and Islington.

"We've had elected Greens in London since 2000 and people know that with Green representatives they will get positive politics and councillors who really care about the local community," she said.

Other areas being targeted by the Greens include Manchester, Sheffield and Huddersfield.