Candidates for the North Norfolk constituency have begun campaigning in earnest ahead of the general election on December 12.

North Norfolk News: General Election 2017. North Norfolk count. Norman Lamb MP giving his victory speech. Picture : ANTONY KELLYGeneral Election 2017. North Norfolk count. Norman Lamb MP giving his victory speech. Picture : ANTONY KELLY (Image: Jamie HoneywoodArchantNorwichNorfolk)

Aspiring MPs from five parties will vie to replace long-standing former MP Sir Norman Lamb for the seat.

Mark Taylor from the Green Party, Karen Ward of the Liberal Democrats, Harry Gwynne of the Brexit Party, Duncan Baker from the Conservatives and Emma Corlett from Labour have announced they will be contesting the seat.

Mr Taylor, who lives in Sustead, owns a Cambridgeshire-based environmentally friendly cleaning firm, and is studying for a masters in environmental and climate science at the University of East Anglia (UEA). He has said environmental issues are a far greater challenge to the country than Brexit.

Ms Ward, who lives in Sheringham, is a district councillor and runs her own research and advisory business, Aditi Unlimited. She agrees with her party's policy to revoke Article 50 in order to cancel Brexit. She said she wanted to fight for decent affordable housing for people, better education and training and new deal for social care funding for the elderly.

Mr Gwynne lives in Brentford in London. He worked as a consultant and researcher for Vote Leave and founded 3rd Chamber, an 'online direct democracy social network that allows everybody to be part of the democratic process'. He said he lived in Blakeney for two years and that he could quickly come to grips with local issues.

Mr Baker, who lives in Aylmerton, is finance director at Holt department store Bakers and Larners. Also a district councillor, he said he was optimistic about Britain's future outside the EU. He said his other priorities would be tackling crime and boosting business and the NHS.

Ms Corlett lives in Norwich and is a county councillor. She worked as a community youth mental health nurse in north Norfolk from 2003 to 2016, and wants to see more money invested in services. She said climate change, building more council houses and investing in infrastructure were among other key issues facing the region.

Sir Norman gave his final speech as North Norfolk's MP in the House of Commons on Tuesday.

*UPDATE: After this story was originally published, it was announced Mr Taylor would not stand as a candidate as part of a 'remain alliance' with the Lib Dems, in order to give Ms Ward a better chance of winning the seat. Read more on that here.