THE Communication Workers Union (CWU) backed Rebecca Long Bailey today in the Labour leadership contest.

The Star understands that the 500 delegates present at a CWU forum overwhelmingly backed Ms Long Bailey for leader and Angela Rayner for deputy leader.

Speaking after the meeting, CWU general secretary Dave Ward said: "I am proud of the democratic process our union has conducted and it is clear to me that Rebecca Long Bailey is the outstanding candidate for leader.

"It is also clear that the ability and experience of Angela Rayner make her the best candidate for deputy leader.

"What is also true is the contest so far has not caught the imagination of Labour members or the wider public.

"We call on all candidates to deliver more dynamic and innovative campaigns in the coming weeks and months."

The CWU has now become the fourth union to endorse Ms Long Bailey, after the Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union, Unite and the Fire Brigades Union all backed her in the past fortnight.

Ms Rayner has also received the support of steel workers' union Community, general union GMB, the National Union of Mineworkers and shop workers' union Usdaw.

The union backing of Ms Long Bailey, alongside the endorsement of pro-Corbyn campaign group Momentum, is expected to provide a huge organisational boost to her campaign.

Ms Long Bailey said: "I am honoured to be endorsed by one of the leading workplace trade unions in the UK which has been solidly behind Labour‘s transformative agenda.

"As leader, I’ll stand shoulder to shoulder with trade unions in disputes."

She also offered her "full solidarity" with the union's postal workers, who are currently in dispute with the Royal Mail.