With its distinctive mix of countryside and city life, local businesses and strong sense of local culture, it is no surprise that Bristol is one of the areas in the UK where the Green Party is rapidly progressing.
The Bristol South Green Party won a breakthrough in May 2006 when Charlie Bolton was elected as Bristol's first Green councillor.
Charlie is standing for election in Southville ward this year, where he and Cllr Tess Green will work hard for their electorate and push forward policies that serve the interests of all, not just the privileged few.
As a councillor, Charlie initiated, and was Vice-Chair, of the Climate Change Select Committee, which resulted in over 40 policies being adopted by the council. He also pushed forward policies on the council's Sustainable Transport Select Committee.
Charlie works for a small cycling charity, and he understands the necessity of good public transport, combined with better facilities for cyclists and walkers.
He has fought hard for the environment and local services, and his determination has driven environmental issues right up the political agenda, despite the other "less committed" political parties.
Bristol North Green Party's candidate for Ashley, Gus Hoyt is anticipating positive results. Ashley narrowly missed out on gaining its first Green councillor four years ago with Daniella Radice, having won more than 34% of the vote.
Gus is involved in numerous campaigns, ranging from free bus transport to stopping the building of a new Tesco store. Gus is strongly opposed to the government's drastic budget cuts, and he believes that more people are turning Green after betrayals by the three bigger parties.
Gus said: "Labour, the Tories and Liberal Democrats are all signed up to privatisation of education and the NHS, and in turn, hitting ordinary people with cuts and job losses instead of taxing the bankers and their continuing obscene bonuses.
"The Green Party has been saying all along that we need to stop making ordinary people pay for the bankers' greed, and put the pain where it belongs - with the bankers who caused our deficit in the first place."
The Bristol Green Party promises the protection of green spaces, investment in Bristol's local economy, green jobs, accessible and free education for all, and affordable housing - beginning with redeveloping Bristol's 7000 empty homes.
"Everyone here thinks of Bristol as the Green capital, but the one thing we're lacking in is the political will," says Gus. "That is why we're encouraging Bristol's residents to vote Green on May 5th."