A challenger taking on Liz Truss at the next general election says the former prime minister's media blitz to sell her new book has helped him hit his crowdfunding target.

Terry Jermy, the Labour candidate standing against her in South West Norfolk, said he had noticed a "sudden surge in support" which coincided with the publicity campaign for her memoir Ten Years To Save The West, which details her brief stint in Downing Street.

Eastern Daily Press: Liz TrussLiz Truss (Image: Press Association)

Ms Truss has been talking about the book with broadcasters in the UK and the USA - although it only reached 70th place in the bestseller list, with 2,228 copies sold.

Eastern Daily Press: Terry Jermy, Labour's prospective parliamentary candidate for South West NorfolkTerry Jermy, Labour's prospective parliamentary candidate for South West Norfolk (Image: Labour Party)

Mr Jermy, who represents Thetford West at Norfolk County Council and Thetford Priory on Breckland District Council, said her appearances had helped swell his election fundraising pot to his £5,000 target.

"Elections are expensive, and we do not have the financial resources that the Truss team will inevitably throw at the campaign in a bid to cling on to her seat," he said.

"I’m delighted our crowdfunding campaign has been so successful.

"We noticed a sudden surge in support when Truss was once again all over the national news, for all the wrong reasons.

"People were reminded that not only is she still an MP, but she wants to continue as one, so they donated to my campaign, recognising that I am best placed to beat Liz Truss when the election comes."

Mr Jermy said £5,065 was raised through the crowdfunding platform, from 79 different supporters, the majority of whom lived in South West Norfolk.

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Ms Truss previously said she had never considered not standing for South West Norfolk again and had "not exhausted her energy".

Former Norfolk high sheriff James Bagge is also fighting Ms Truss for the seat she has held since 2010.

Mr Bagge, standing as an independent, was among the so-called Turnip Taliban who opposed Ms Truss's selection by local Tories before she was elected.

Toby McKenzie is standing for Reform UK and Josie Ratcliffe for the Liberal Democrats.