PROTESTERS will give the women vying to become Blaenau Gwent's next Labour Party parliamentary candidate a noisy reception as the row over the area's all-women shortlist deepens.

The picket will demonstrate discontent at the use of the all-women list being used to choose MP Llew Smith's successor.

Labour Party members are being invited by the party's executive to meet candidates on November 21 at Ebbw Vale leisure centre.

They are running the selection after Blaenau Gwent's constituency party voted to boycott the process.

Labour Assembly Member Peter Law - who has threatened to run as an independent unless the executive reverse their decision - will join protesters on the picket line.

Mr Law said: "The Cardiff executive has ignored the Labour Party in Blaenau Gwent and insisted on this profoundly undemocratic measure.

"As a result the constituency party is boycotting the selection and I am sure that the meeting on Friday will look at further action.

"I think a lot of individual members will want to picket this event on the 21st and I will be there with them.

"I wouldn't have a problem joining them because what is happening is offensive."

Current MP Llew Smith also pledged his support to demonstrators, saying: "The Constituency Labour Party line is that all members boycott this selection as long as we are denied our democratic vote.

He said the people who ran the party in Cardiff didn't know anything about the people of Blaenau Gwent.

"I've supported peaceful pickets all my life and if that's what people decide to do I will support this one," he added.

But one female councillor who objects to all-women shortlists said she will participate in the meeting.

Karen Williams said: "I am opposed to all-women shortlists, I think people should get there on the strength of their qualities. However I will go to the meeting because I think we now need to get on and choose the best candidate."

A spokeswoman for the Labour Party said that more than eight women had put their names forward and that the selection would take place on December 11.

So far the only name mentioned as a candidate is public sector union Unison official Maggie Jones.