Carlisle Labour Party is a step closer to confirming its next Parliamentary candidate for the city.

Wednesday night was the deadline for people to come forward as potential MP candidates.

It comes after the national party decided to impose an all-woman shortlist on the local branch.

Ruth Alcroft, who stood against Conservative MP John Stevenson at the General Election earlier this year, has confirmed that she has again put herself forward for selection.

Another local party member, Lisa Brown, has also now revealed that she has put her hat in the ring.

It is not yet known how many applications were received ahead of the deadline, but both women are expecting tough competition for what the party feels is a potential swing seat.

Ms Alcroft, a mother of two, already has a seat on Carlisle City Council, representing Denton Holme.

Despite losing out at the General Election, she said she had a great response to her campaign and is keen to stand again.

Mrs Brown is also hoping to run for a city council seat next year, having been involved with the Carlisle Labour Party for a couple of years.

From Currock, she used to run the Sweet Dreams Cake Company and is now studying law with the Open University.

She has two children, seven-year-old Jessica and five-month-old Harrison, and has just started volunteering with the Carlisle Foodbank.

Mrs Brown, 40, said: "I've been a member of the Labour party on and off for years. I rejoined in 2015 to support Jeremy Corbyn in the leadership contest.

"This year, after the General Election, I started becoming more active in Carlisle Labour Party.

"When they announced that they were going to be starting the search for the next Carlisle candidate I just knew it was the right time for me, in terms of life experience.

"I've always had a social conscience. When you see what's happening with school funding and Universal Credit, I just feel that something needs to change."