Shortlisted Labour candidates will learn later who has been selected to replace the murdered MP Jo Cox.

Former soap actress Tracy Brabin, who has appeared in Coronation Street, Emmerdale and EastEnders, will go up against Jane Thomas in seeking to secure the party's nomination for the Batley and Spen by-election on 20 October.

Constituency party members will decide on their preferred candidate following a hustings event this evening.

Image: Tracy Brabin, who was born in Batley, is one of those on the party's shortlist

The West Yorkshire seat has been vacant since the 41-year-old mother of two was shot and stabbed to death outside her constituency surgery in Birstall on 16 June.

Other major parties, including the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and UKIP, have said they will not put forward a candidate out of respect for Mrs Cox's memory.


However, some minor parties, including the English Democrats, have previously indicated they will contest the seat.

If they do not, the selected Labour candidate would expect to automatically take the seat.

Ms Brabin was born in Batley and worked with Mrs Cox on her campaign to save the town's library.

As well as her on-screen roles, she has also written for shows including Family Affairs, Tracy Beaker and Hollyoaks.

Ms Thomas contested the seat of Keighley in West Yorkshire at the 2010 general election, but lost to the Tories.

She lives in Sheffield and until recently had been senior campaigner for Friends of the Earth.