Labour chooses ex-Coronation Street actress Tracy Brabin to succeed Jo Cox

Ex-Coronation Street actress Tracy Brabin will be the Labour candidate in the by-election triggered by the murder of MP Jo Cox.

The Batley and Spen by-election is due to take place on 20 October.

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.

"I'm humbled, privileged, and obviously no one wanted this," Ms Brabin said after she was chosen.

"But I am the only person on the ballot paper who can stand up for everyone in Batley and Spen.

"I'm hoping people will put party politics to one side and we can work together."

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, who was selected over the other shortlisted candidate, Jane Thomas, was born in Batley and worked with Mrs Cox on her campaign to save the town's library.

In a tweet after being selected, Ms Brabin said the murdered MP was her "inspiration".

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.