A BID to rejuvenate town high streets and to develop more community allotments are among the pledges being made by the Scottish Greens ahead of the East Lothian Council elections.

Residents throughout the county will go to the polls on May 5 to elect 22 councillors.

The Scottish Greens are fielding candidates in each of the council’s six wards.

Now, they have revealed their manifesto, which sets out a full range of policies to transform the county.

The manifesto was developed following more than 200 public suggestions and policy working groups involving more than 50 people.

If elected, Green councillors have pledged to bring forward East Lothian’s carbon-neutral targets to 2035, prioritise the responsible installation of renewable energy across the county, and work proactively to secure jobs and training in East Lothian as part of this significant growth industry.

Among specific measures the Greens have committed to are: boost local food producers through a ‘local heroes’ certification scheme; back cargo bike and ‘beach bus’ services in a shake-up of county transport; develop more community allotments and ban developers from cutting down mature trees and hedges; back rent controls and ensure any new housing developments genuinely meet the needs of residents; rejuvenate town high streets, supporting community projects and delivering more space for walking, wheelchairs, prams and cycling; lobby for the divestment of the Lothian Pension Fund from fossil fuels.

The manifesto also pledges to pause the controversial plans for a flood defence wall in Musselburgh until better modelling has taken place, the impact of the proposed wall on other areas of the county is understood, and nature-based solutions across the whole River Esk eco-system have been included.

On health and social care, Green councillors will push for the Edington Hospital in North Berwick to re-open and for better working conditions for social care staff.