A FORMER science lecturer is amongst some of the women Labour candidates fighting for the Withington seat in the next general elections.

The seat, which is currently held by Lib Dem MP John Leech, will see it be challenged an all female Labour shortlist.

Amongst the contenders are Dr Yogish Virmani who stood as a candidate for the Chorlton Park ward during the 2005 local elections.

Dr Virmani, who was a lecturer at Manchester University, lives in East Didsbury with her husband Bhim and has been a party member since the 60s. Her work has focused on the improvement of deprived estates in south Manchester.

Other hopefuls include high profile north west MEP, Arlene McCarthy. She was first elected for the post in 1999 and currently holds a number of different posts including that of vice president for the European Parliament's Urban Intergroup and is the European Parliament's delegation to the United States.

Party activist Lucy Powell who worked behind the scenes to ensure the success of the Labour Party's recent Manchester conference is also contending along with Chorlton councillor and deputy leader of Manchester City Council, Val Stevens.

Hopefuls are already believed to be working frantically to put themselves in pole position for the nomination.

The candidate for the election, which must be called before 2010, will be chosen by a series of ballots held within Withington Constituency Labour Party.

The winner will be announced in February.