THE Green Party's leader has criticised proposals for Worcester's £150 million John Lewis-led retail park - urging the city centre to be protected.

Natalie Bennett visited Worcester today, touring a range of independent retailers to officially kick off the party's election campaign early.

During her visit she criticised massive corporations as "parasites" and admitted to being concerned about the out-of-town Worcester Woods development, proposed for fields off Newtown Road.

"One of the things we've got to do is support businesses here, I want to talk to them and find out what their needs are," she said today.

"So many councils have gone for economic development but when they do that (opt to allow out-of-town retail development) they find their economy hollows out."

She also said she felt her party is winning over voters by focusing on issues that "really resonate", like public transport cuts and housing.

"Worcester is a place where I think a lot of what we have to say is resonating with people," she said.

"I know the issues around public transport being cut and congestion, and about housing, for example.

"For anyone to buy a property you need two good incomes and two cars to get to work."

As well as John Lewis, developer Land Securities has already signed up Marks & Spencer, Next Home and Garden and Sainsbury's to the 13-unit plaza Worcester Woods bid.

Chris Fleetwood, the firm's development director, has argued that Worcester faces "losing more trade to its regional rivals" unless it gets approved by the city council.

During Mrs Bennett's visit she did a talk with students at the university and went into several independent retailers during her time in the city centre including the Cookmate Kitchen Shop in Broad Street, Toys & Games of Worcester and lighting store J&E Nevitt.

She told your Worcester News her party was determined to play a significant part in the police and crime commissioner elections, and grab more councillor seats on local authorities in May.

Worcester Green Party has built up a growing support base in recent years but still has just the one city councillor in Neil Laurenson.

"We're looking to double our representation, I think we can do that - what we want to do is turn that Green Party surge in support we saw last year into seats," she said.

"The voting system doesn't help us but we are looking to build on what we've got."

In May Mr Laurenson is defending his seat won in St Stephen for the first time back in 2012, when he became Worcester's first ever elected Green politician.

In 2013 it secured two seats at Worcestershire County Council, held by Matthew Jenkins and John Raine.

Louis Stephen, the branch chairman, today confirmed that the party will once again contest every city council seat up for grabs in May.