Labour's newly-picked candidate to take on Chloe Smith at the next general election has pledged to expose her opponent's role in what she described as the government's failed economy policy.

Jessica Asato was selected as Labour's candidate for Norwich North after a meeting of local members today (Saturday).

And the 31-year-old was quick to attack her Conservative opponent.

She said: 'I am elated and I'm ready to expose Chloe Smith's role in this government, which has attacked some of the most vulnerable people in society.'

She said Norwich North would be a straight fight between Labour and the Conservatives, but acknowledged her party needed to regain the trust of the electorate.

She said: 'We need to show there is an alternatives to this government's failed economic policies, in which Chloe Smith, as an economic secretary, has played a very major part.

'We need to give people hope that the Labour party has the vision to build a better society.'

Ms Asato works as an advisor to shadow cabinet minister Tessa Jowell MP and is a Labour councillor in Islington, London.

She is also the vice-chairman of the Fabian Society and a council member of the Electoral Reform Society .

She grew up in Norfolk, living in Gorleston and Rollesby. She attended Flegg High School in Martham, before moving to London.

Labour had an all-women shortlist for the candidacy, with Ms Asato defeating her only challenger - Thorpe Hamlet-born Jo Rust, who lives in King's Lynn and is Norfolk campaigns organiser for trade union Unison.