Labour party members in Falmouth have thrown their support behind Yvette Cooper in the party's leadership race.

The Truro and Falmouth Labour Party met at Carnon Downs Village Hall last night to debate which candidates it wished to nominate for leader and deputy leader.

Chair Candy Atherton said: "Our local party has more than doubled since the general election and many took part in the debate. We supported Yvette Cooper for leader and Ben Bradshaw for deputy.

"The point was strongly made that Yvette Cooper would be a formidable opponent of the Prime Minister and had the experience and character to lead the party well.

"Members were also keen that someone from the west should be on the team and strongly supported Ben Bradshaw for deputy. Ben saw a huge increase in his vote in Exeter at the last general election and the feeling was if he could replicate that across the country that would be good for Labour."

The party has been looking for a new leader after Ed Miliband's stepped down following defeat in the general election in May.

Four candidates have now been announced ahead of a vote of all party members, and constituency Labour parties have until July 31 to offer supporting nominations.

Although these have no direct influence on the result, they can be an indicator of how the contest is going, with Jeremy Corbyn currently ahead with 57 nominations, followed by Andy Burnham with 52 and Yvette Cooper with 43, and Liz Kendall trailing with 10.