BARROW MP John Woodcock has vowed to continue "standing up for the shipyard" and the "whole community" after branding a decision by local Labour Party members to back Jeremy Corbyn as "sad".

MEMBERS of the Barrow and Furness Constituency Labour Party have voted for their favourite to back in their party's upcoming leadership contest.

At a meeting last night, a vote was held to decide which candidate - Jeremy Corbyn or Owen Smith - the constituency Labour members should back in the party's upcoming leadership election.

Out of 137 members who voted, 100 voted in favour of Mr Corbyn and 37 voted for Mr Smith. The constituency party has more than 400 members in total.

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Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock has faced fierce criticism from some leftwing Labour supporters for speaking against Mr Corbyn.

However, Mr Woodcock, alongside neighbouring MP Jamie Reed who represents Copeland, has been unwavering in his opposition to Mr Corbyn because of his opinions on Trident.

John Woodcock MP said: "It is sad that local Labour members have voted to endorse a man who would scrap the submarine programme providing 8,000 jobs in Barrow with no credible alternative in place. Barrow Labour did the same in the 1980s and the result was the only Conservative MP in the town's history.

"I was elected to stand up for the shipyard and am proud that we put its future beyond doubt with the historic vote in the House of Commons last month.

"Whatever the fortunes of my party, I will remain resolutely focused on doing my best for the area - in particular making sure the new investment benefits our whole community and everyone in it."

LABOUR LEADERSHIP ELECTION TIMETABLE

22 August: Ballot papers start to be sent out in the post (Labour Party members only) and by email;

21 September: Deadline for ballot papers to be returned is midday;

24 September: The result will be announced at a special conference in Liverpool.