SIX men are seeking to stand for Labour as candidate in the marginal seat of Rossendale and Darwen.

Three Rossendale borough councillors, a post-graduate researcher into migration statistics from Accrington and a party stalwart from Oldham have joined Blackburn MP Jack Straw’s son Will in throwing their hats into the ring.

Constituency Labour chairman Nick Pilling said the selection meeting would take place on September 1 with party members welcome to come and vote.

He said: “We have a good field and I am looking forward to an exciting contest. My only regret is that there are no women putting their name forward.”

In September 2012, 31-year-old Mr Straw became the first candidate to throw his hat in the ring to contest the May 2015 general election. Mr Pilling confirmed he has five party rivals vying for the opportunity to overturn Tory Jake Berry’s majority of 4,493 in May 2010.

The three Rossendale councillors are Longholme’s Peter Roberts, Hareholme councillor and borough finance chief Patrick Marriott, and regeneration chief Andy MacNae who represents Greensclough.

Joining them are 27-year-old George Disney, a Hyndburn-born post-graduate researcher at Southampton University, and Ken Rustidge, a leading figure in Oldham Labour Party.

Will Straw has support from former Labour MP Janet Anderson and former Darwen councillor turned Rochdale Labour MP Simon Danczuk.

Mr Disney, who attended Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School before going to Cambridge University, said: “I am a lifelong Labour supporter. Only a Labour government can tackle the divide between rich and poor we see in Rossendale and Darwen.”

Former Rossendale borough councillor Mr Pilling said: “Party branches and affiliated organisations are now making their nominations among the six candidates. We will then draw up a short-list.”

Borough leader Alyson Barnes and former Darwen councillor Sue Reid had expressed interest but did not pursue it.

Mr Berry said: “It doesn’t matter who the trade unions pick to be Labour’s candidate, people across Rossendale and Darwen aren’t daft. There might be some unfamiliar faces but it’s the same old Labour Party that nearly bankrupted Britain.”