LABOUR Party members choosing a candidate to fight for veteran MP Mark Fisher's seat will not be limited to an all-women shortlist.

The Labour Party's National Executive Committee (NEC) met on Thursday to consider whether to impose restrictions on the shortlist under the party's positive discrimination rules to encourage more women to stand for election.

Some members of the Stoke-on-Trent Central Constituency Labour Party (CLP) had feared the committee would use the policy to exclude some male party members from the selection process.

The CLP's chairman, Barry Stockley, secretary Gary Elsby and political education officer Mick Williams are currently embroiled in a legal dispute with the national Labour Party over allegations they were unfairly barred from contesting council seats in the constituency.

Mr Stockley said yesterday he was pleased the NEC had not gone for all-women shortlists.

He said: "I welcome the fact it's an open shortlist and it is the right decision.

"I hope the NEC's special selection panel now puts together a shortlist that represents all shades of opinion within the party so that members in Stoke Central will have a wide choice of candidates."

Labour Stoke-on-Trent City Councillor Adrian Knapper, below, has confirmed he is putting his name forward.

Mr Knapper, who serves the Berryhill and Hanley East ward, said: "I have made no secret of my ambitions to go to Westminster.

"Although we need more diversity in Parliament, I am not in favour of all-women shortlists and I'm glad the NEC has decided on an open shortlist for Stoke Central."

City Labour Party chairman Sarah Hill is also canvassing local party members to support a bid for the vacancy.

The Staffordshire University lecturer and former social worker said: "I'm glad there will be an open shortlist, although I'm hoping a local woman is selected.

"This is a job I would very much like to do and I feel with my experience I could do it well."

Other names linked with the seat include city councillor Tom Reynolds, a political aide to Stoke-on-Trent South MP Rob Flello, and City Labour Party campaign leader Jane Heggie.

The selection process normally takes about 12 weeks, but is expected to be completed within the next two or three weeks to give the chosen candidate time to get their General Election campaign up and running ahead of polling day.

A spokesman for the West Midlands Labour Party said: "We can confirm that there will be an open shortlist for the Stoke-on-Trent Central selection process and the post has now been advertised."