LABOUR members bidding to fight for Warrington South in the General Election have until Sunday to apply to battle for the seat.

Applications to be a parliamentary candidate for the party opened today, Friday, and close at noon on Sunday – but no date has been set for when candidates will be announced.

The party is currently looking for a candidate in Warrington South after Nick Bent, who lost out to Conservative David Mowat in the last two general elections, confirmed he was not looking to run for a third time.

Labour's National Executive Committee (NEC) will decide who is confirmed, rather than local members.

Applicants hoping to fight for a seat in the General Election, which takes place on June 8, may apply for more than one seat.

A statement on Labour's website confirmed that to be eligible to be a candidate, members must have joined the party on, or before, April 18 and 'not be in arrears or under any NEC-imposed restrictions such as a suspension'.

It added: "The NEC will make decisions in the normal way about all-women shortlists in all seats.

"All sitting MPs who confirmed their intention to stand for re-election have now been deemed automatically reselected, subject to NEC endorsement.

"In all other seats where there is not a sitting Labour MP a panel of NEC and regional board representatives will evaluate applications and appoint candidates in each seat."