SIX people are onto the longlist to become the Labour Party's candidate for Stretford and Urmston at the next general election.

The opening is a result of Kate Green's decision to step down as MP after serving the area since 2010.

Among those on the longlist are two familiar faces in the form of council leader Cllr Andrew Western and Cllr Joanne Harding.

Cllr Western has led the borough's Labour Group since 2014 and the council since 2018, and he has the support of Ms Green.

While Cllr Harding is the executive member for culture, leisure and strategic partnerships after a recent switch from a role as executive member for adult social care.

Others to confirm their inclusion are Tom Hayes, from Salford, a councillor on Oxford Council, and Paul Mason, from Leigh, an author and broadcaster with experience on the BBC and Channel 4.

In a post on social media, Cllr Hayes said: "Delighted to have been longlisted to be Stretford and Urmston’s Labour candidate.

"Born and brought up in Salford in our Labour values, I’ll fight for local people every day."

And Mr Mason posted: I've made the longlist in my application to be Labour's candidate for Stretford and Urmston at the next general election.

"There are some strong candidates, so I'm delighted to get this far," he added.

According to news website LabourList, Abisola Arobieke and Iram Woolley are also onto the longlist.

It will be whittled down to a shortlist over the coming weeks, before members choose a candidate towards the end of the month.

A safe seat for the Labour Party since its creation in the 1990s, Stretford and Urmston returned a majority of more than 16,000 for Ms Green at the last general election.

It means whoever is chosen as the candidate stands an excellent chance of becoming the area's MP in 2024, or before if the next general election is earlier than scheduled.