The number of Labour members in Medway has doubled since Jeremy Corbyn was elected party leader.

After the left-winger was chosen on September 12, the party saw a surge in the number of people signing up to be members - 40,000 in the subsequent five days. It brings the total to more than 350,000 members.

In the Towns though the interest was, comparatively, even greater. Before the election the party had roughly 900 members, now it has around 1,800.

Among those who has joined in Neil Williams, who was the Green Party’s candidate for Gillingham and Rainham in May’s general election.

Cllr Adam Price, Gillingham and Rainham constituency chairman added: “We have seen a dramatic increase in our membership over the past couple of weeks. People like Neil are taking the decision to join the Labour Party and stand up against some of the terrible attacks we are seeing on families across Medway from the current government.”

More than 400,000 people voted in the contest, and there was some controversy as a huge number of people paid a one off fee of £3 to become a Labour Party supporter and cast a vote. There were fears people were signing up to throw off the contest, but Mr Corbyn won with nearly 60% of the vote.

In Mr Williams’ letter of resignation from the Green Party, he cited the election of Jeremy Corbyn as a deciding factor.

He added: “I’m pleased to be joining Medway Labour, their local track record of campaigning on issues like improving our hospital and standing up for high streets is impressive. Also, I firmly believe that in Jeremy Corbyn there is a future Labour Prime Minister who will fight for a genuinely fairer, more equal society.”

Rehman Chishti held the Gillingham and Rainham seat in the May election, with Labour second and Ukip third. Mr Williams came fourth with 1,133 votes followed by the Lib Dems, TUSC and two independents.

Cllr Vince Maple, Medway’s Labour group leader, said: “It is great to welcome Neil to the party. Neil, like many others across Medway, has been impressed by Jeremy Corbyn’s determination to bring about a fairer society. I look forward to being out on the doorstep campaigning alongside Neil and many other new members and activists.”