SUPPORTERS of Jeremy Corbyn hit the streets of Chelmsford to show their backing for the Labour leader.

The campaign group Momentum held a street stall in the High Street, signing up around fifty people to their organisation.

Their canvassing comes before Labour's National Executive Committee was set to rule on whether Mr Corbyn should automatically be included in the party's leadership ballot, on Tuesday (July 12).

Momentum spokesperson Andy Abbott said many of those enlisted by the group were young educated people working in shops on zero contract hours.

He explained: “It's fair to say we were probably a little nervous about going onto the streets of Chelmsford, a city that has elected a Conservative MP since 1950.

“We signed up a new Momentum supporter at the rate of one nearly every two minutes, and handed out many more leaflets to a public keen to know more about the man they see being vilified every day.

“As well as young people we had many others who came from all walks of life.”

He added the response left campaigners feeling “buoyed” after witnessing the public support towards Mr Corbyn.

Labour-commissioned legal analysis states Mr Corbyn needs 51 nominations from his own party to stand in the labour leadership race.

But unions say, as existing leader, he does not.

The contest has been triggered by a challenge against the leader from ex-shadow minister Angela Eagle, who criticised Mr Corbyn for failing to connect with labour voters.

Members of Chelmsford Momentum are now calling on the Chelmsford Constituency Labour Party to call a snap meeting so members can deliver a vote of confidence in Mr Corbyn.

The campaigners continue to canvas for support across the county.

They travelled to Colchester on Saturday (July 9), and joined a defend Corbyn rally that was nearly 100 strong.