I have been a city councillor for Copnor, where I grew up then, with my husband, Douglas, who was a councillor in the 1980s, we ran optician’s practices in Southsea and Cosham.

I am a professional journalist, trained at Highbury College and whose jobs have included working for The News.

I have been a trustee of the International Boatbuilding Training College in the Historic Dockyard and of Portsmouth Royal Dockyard Historical Trust. I regularly volunteer with Portsmouth Foodbank, based at King’s Church in Somers Road.

My knowledge and love of Portsmouth and its community is deep-rooted and I am particularly keen to promote and preserve the city’s heritage, as shown by my support for current campaigns to save Brewery House in Hambrook Street and the former Record Office in Museum Road from development. I have three adult children and two young grandsons.