Jeremy Corbyn will automatically be included on the ballot in Labour's leadership contest following a vote by the ruling National Executive Committee.

The secret vote went 18-14 in the Opposition leader's favour following hours of talks at the party's headquarters in central London.

A party spokesman said: "The NEC has agreed that as the incumbent leader Jeremy Corbyn will go forward onto the ballot without requiring nominations from the Parliamentary Labour Party and the European Parliamentary Labour Party.

"All other leadership candidates will require nominations from 20% of the PLP and EPLP."