MEMBERS of Westmorland and Lonsdale's Labour party voted overwhelmingly in favour of nominating Jeremy Corbyn as the party's new leader.

Mr Corbyn, MP for Islington North, was initially an outsider in the leadership contest.

However his campaign has captured the hearts and minds of many Labour members and supporters and he is now hot favourite to win with many bookmakers.

The decision to back Mr Corbyn was made at a packed meeting last week.

Westmorland and Lonsdale party chair Paul Braithwaite said: "Many people spoke passionately of the need to defend the most vulnerable in our society from the policies of the new Conservative Government which also worsen the impact of draconian cuts brought in by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition.

β€œIt is great to see so many people taking part in this leadership debate. Our membership has soared since the general election and people really want to get involved in helping shape the future of the Labour party.”

Mr Corbyn, seen as a left-wing option, is up against Liz Kendall, MP for Leicester West, Andy Burnham, MP for Leigh and Yvette Cooper, MP for Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford.

The winner will be announced on September 12.