THE new Labour party candidate in York Central will be selected from an all women shortlist, it has been announced.

The party's National Executive Committee met earlier this week and decided the seat being vacated by Hugh Bayley should go to a female candidate - making it possible that May could see York elect its first female MP.

Local party members will choose the final candidate, but must choose a woman. The York party chairman Viv Kind said she was very pleased with the decision to leave the final selection up to local members, rather than having a candidate imposed by the national party HQ.

"We will be able to make that choice and that's the important thing. That's what we wanted, and that's what we have achieved."

She added: "I am thrilled we will have a lot of really talented women from which to choose York's next MP.

"I am proud we are doing our bit for the representation of women in Parliament, and that's better than the other parties can say."

No timescale is yet in place for the selection process, Ms Kind added, but they hope to have plans confirmed before Christmas and a candidate ready to announce early in 2015.

"I am sure people have suggested all the female councillors in York, and all the well known Labour figures in the region, as candidates, but it would be premature to suggest names."