Labour Party members have selected an all-female short-list of candidates to fight the Keighley seat at the next general election.

Five women have been chosen as possible contenders following sitting MP Ann Cryer’s decision to stand down at the end of her current tenure.

Councillor Denise Headley, 37, works for the charity Age Concern and lives in Enfield.

She has twin eight-year-old daughters and is a local councillor.

Meryl Roberts, 22, from Halifax, is currently a researcher for Linda Riordan, the MP for Halifax.

Cllr Susan Press, 51, is a freelance journalist who lives in Hebden Bridge and is currently the mayor of the town.

Jane Thomas, 51, from Sheffield, runs a company called Network North and is married with three grown-up children.

Kaneez Akthar, 41, is a housing consultant from Keighley who is married with three children.

Each candidate has the next few weeks to persuade party members of their suitability for the role before the final choice is made.