Labour leadership candidate Lisa Nandy has secured her place on the final ballot, having won the endorsement of two unions and one affiliate group.

The MP for Wigan joined frontrunner Keir Starmer in the next round on Wednesday, after the Chinese for Labour organisation threw its support behind her.

She already has the backing of the GMB union and National Union of Mineworkers.

Labour MP Sarah Owen, the chair of Chinese for Labour, said the group had been impressed with Nandy’s “call to properly examine why seats that have always voted Labour have gone Tory for the first time”.

Owen said the group, which also backed Dawn Butler for deputy leader today, could “not miss this opportunity to endorse two strong BAME women”.

“Only in power can Labour make the radical changes that are so desperately needed for our towns and communities. We believe that Lisa is the right candidate to take us there,” she said in a statement.

Nandy said: “As someone of mixed heritage, I’m incredibly proud that it is Chinese for Labour who have secured my place on the ballot paper.

“They do incredibly important work to ensure we are a representative and inclusive party that can truly speak for modern Britain.

“I’m now looking forward to getting out intro the country and laying out my vision for reuniting the party, rebuilding trust, and returning Labour to power at the next election.”

Nandy also received a boost earlier today when Jess Phillips, who dropped out of the contest yesterday, backed her to succeed Jeremy Corbyn.

Rebecca Long-Bailey, the favourite of the current party leadership, has not yet made it onto the ballot but is expected to easily proceed to the next round.

However Emily Thornberry appears to so far be struggling to win the backing required.

To make it onto the final ballot, candidates have to win the backing of three Labour affiliates – including at least two trade unions.

Alternatively they can proceed by securing the nomination of 33 constituency Labour parties (CLPs).