A SHORT-LIST of three -- without MP Peter Pike's daughter -- has been drawn up in the race to become Burnley's Labour party candidate in the next election.

Favourites Kitty Usher and Debbie Brannan received the most nominations from Burnley Labour party branches and affiliated trade unions, at 10 and nine respectively.

But Burnley councillor Carole Galbraith, who was one of only two local candidates, also made it onto the all-female list at the last minute with one nomination.

Her nomination should allay the concerns of the out-going MP for Burnley Peter Pike, who yesterday said he would be disappointed if no local candidate had made it onto the short-list.

But it meant no place for his daughter Jane, who today said she was "very disappointed".

Mr Pike, who is retiring at the next general election after 20 years as the town's MP, said: "Carole got a late nomination, although it was only one.

"I still feel that three is a very narrow short-list, but that is the decision of the party.

"I think my daughter would have been a good candidate.

"I know who I will be backing, but I am not going to say who that is."

Mrs Usher, 32, who is tipped to succeed Mr Pike, has been a member of the Labour Party and a trade unionist all her adult life.

She served as a councillor in Brixton for four years and works as a policy adviser to Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt.

After moving to Burnley from London last year she helped out in every ward during the local elections.

Mrs Usher said: "I live in Burnley and promise to work hard for the town if I am elected as MP."

Ms Brannan, from Southport, is regional and political officer for manufacturing union Amicus.

This year she worked with local and regional agencies to help save Burnley paper mill, Papermarc, which was in administration.

She also co-ordinated the 2003 local election campaign and two by-election campaigns for the Labour Party in Burnley.

Outsider Carole Galbraith joined the Burnley Labour Party in 1979.

She is on Burnley Council's executive committee as portfolio holder for housing and regeneration and is parish clerk for Worsthorne with Hurstwood Parish Council.

Coun Galbraith has also been actively involved in establishing and supporting a number of community groups in South West Burnley.

Mr Pike's daughter Jane, who has a home in Burnley and works as a Parliamentary assistant for her father, said: "I feel I would have been a good candidate.

"Burnley was the only seat I considered standing for and I was hoping to at least make the short-list.

The three women, chosen from the all-female list, will now face party members at a hustings meeting on February 12, when the final selection will be made.