LABOUR members in York were last night drawing up a long list of candidates fighting to replace MP Sir Hugh Bayley.

Eight women are understood to have applied for Labour's nomination in York Central, and last night party members were due to draw up a long-list ahead of interviews at the weekend to narrow the field down.

The candidates include former Lord Mayor Julie Gunnell, Labour party worker Jo Coles, Unite health boss Rachael Maskell, and the Chief Executive of the Electoral Reform Society Katie Ghose - who came out on top in a hustings held earlier this week by the University of York's Labour club.

The event saw seven of the eight candidates speak to the students and answer questions on topics from student fees, to the NHS and mental health care.

Also in the running is North East based charity boss Jessie Joe Jacobs - who has launched a website to support her bid - while a further three candidates are understood to have applied for the nomination and fierce competition is said to be mounting for the safe Labour seat - which was won with a majority of almost 6,500 at the last election.

After the long listing, the candidates face shortlisting interviews over the weekend when the field will be whittled down further.

A final hustings and vote of party members will be held on Sunday, February 15 - with the winner announced shortly after.

The current MP Sir Hugh Bayley announced his retirement late last year, the Labour's National Executive Committee announced a women-only shortlist would be run for the selection process in York Central.

Once chosen, the Labour candidate will go up against the already announced Conservative candidate Robert McIlveen, the Lib Dem's Nick Love, Green Jonathan Tyler, and UKIP's Ken Guest, in the general election in May.