Greens eye record council seats

Ms Berry is one of the Green Party's two principal speakers

The Green Party say they are on course to achieve a "record result" in English local elections.

Principal Speaker Sian Berry said they expected to become the second largest parties in Norwich and Brighton - and hold the balance of power on others.

She accused other parties of claiming green credentials, while rejecting wind farms and other eco-friendly measures.

Labour, the Tories and the Lib Dems are also pushing green issues in the run-up to the elections on 3 May.

As the Greens launched their local elections manifesto on Tuesday, Ms Berry told the BBC they had more than 1,400 candidates standing for seats in more than two third of council elections.

We are virtually guaranteed to break through 10% this year and that is actually a huge milestone for us Sian Berry

"It's a huge amount of coverage and we are expecting a record result," she said.

They are expecting 10% of voters to back them, in areas where they are fielding candidates.

"We are virtually guaranteed to break through 10% this year and that is actually a huge milestone for us," she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

Poll boost

The party hopes to win more than 20 seats, bringing their total number of councillors to about 120 - twice the figure they had four years ago.

The Greens do not control any councils, but last year's local elections saw them gain 20 councillors - including nine in Norwich. They hope to become the second biggest party in Norwich and Brighton this year.

In its manifesto it says the Green Party is the voter's "one chance" for action on climate change, for decent schools and housing and for "councillors that make your voice heard".

The party has seen a boost in its opinion poll ratings as environmental issues climb the political agenda.

Ms Berry accused the other parties of failing on wind farms

The Conservatives are urging people to "vote blue, go green". They have unveiled plans to tackle train overcrowding, as part of leader David Cameron's efforts to change the party's image as the party of road transport.

Meanwhile Environment Secretary David Miliband will later unveil Labour's "climate change pledge card" - setting out what the government is doing to save energy and combat climate change, as well as giving householders advice.

And for the Lib Dems, leader Sir Menzies Campbell has backed loans for homeowners to help them make their properties more energy efficient, by installing double glazing and insulation, to cut carbon emissions.

But Ms Berry said Labour had had ten years to improve carbon emissions, but they had become worse and said the Lib Dems did not have a good environmental record in Scotland.

She also dismissed Mr Cameron's efforts to improve his party's green image.

"Actions speaker a lot louder than words. The Tories on the ground particularly are as bad as ever.

"They are still backing road building, incinerators, airport expansion and they are turning down wind farms, which is an absolute scandal that all the other parties are involved in."