Lancashire MP Andy Burnham has been named as an official candidate in the running to be the next leader of the Labour Party.
The Leigh MP successfully secured the minimum 33 signatures needed to enter the contest to succeed Gordon Brown.
The former Health Secretary will now run against former Children's Secretary Ed Balls, brothers David and Ed Milliband and Diane Abbott, the first black woman to be elected into the House of Commons.
Old Road-born Burnham threw his hat into the ring for the leadership race in May, stating: "I can be a unifying figure, to help Labour reconnect with ordinary people."
The 40-year-old, who already has support from St Helen's North MP Dave Watts and former Walton MP Peter Kilfoyle, will now attend a number of hustings events across the country where the nominated candidates will be quizzed by voters.
Voting will take place through September and the successful candidate will be announced on 25th September before the start of Labour Party’s Annual Conference.
Acting Leader of the Labour Party Harriet Harman said: "This will be the biggest and most widespread election of any political party or any organisation in this country.
"The contest will be open engaging and energising. It will be a chance to invite supporters to join the party to have a vote.
"This debate will involve Labour Party members, supporters in our affiliated trade unions and the wider public. This leadership contest is Labour’s opportunity to take forward the rebuilding for our party for the future challenges ahead.
"Over the coming months the candidates will meet thousands of people in meetings across the country and take the debate over Britain’s progressiv e future to as wide an audience as possible."
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