Naomi Long will be the only candidate in the race to become the new Alliance Party leader.

The post was vacated after David Ford announced his retirement after 15 years.

East Belfast MLA Ms Long, who was formerly the party’s deputy leader, will go unchallenged in her bid to take over.

The party’s six other eligible MLAs have signed her nomination papers.

A new leader is required to get over 50% of the available votes when the election takes place at a special Alliance council meeting at the end of the month.

Naomi Long said: “If elected, I will not only be the first woman to lead the party, but it will also mark a generational change, as I will also be the first leader younger than Alliance itself.

"As such, I am conscious that, while the core values of the Alliance Party are still as relevant as ever, we need to be willing to renew our message, refresh our vision and re-energise not just our current members but a public growing increasingly weary of what often passes for politics here.

"I believe Alliance is ready to step up to that challenge.

“With the support of Party Council, I would be honoured to have the opportunity to guide that process forward as leader."