Thousands of new members have joined the Labour Party as a leadership challenge against Jeremy Corbyn looms.
At least 60,000 people have signed up since the UK voted to leave the EU, sparking a crisis within the party that has seen Mr Corbyn battle to remain at the helm.
The dramatic rise, thought to be one of the fastest in British political history, has been put down to increased fervour on the part of supporters in favour and against Mr Corbyn's premiership.
Some new members are believed to have joined in the hope of toppling the embattled leader while others are thought to have signed up so the left-winger has the votes if a contest goes down to the wire.
The increase puts the Labour Party's membership at about 450,000. New members are not required to reveal whether they support the current leader.
On Monday, Mr Corbyn lost a vote of no confidence following a series of dramatic resignations from his shadow cabinet in the wake of an apparently lacklustre performance in the EU referendum campaign.
On Wednesday, former shadow business secretary Andrea Eagle was expected to mount her challenge to Mr Corbyn.
But an afternoon press conference in which she was expected to formally announce her leadership bid was delayed, which has encouraged pro-Corbyn supporters he can fend off rivals.
More than 240 councillors have pledged to support Mr Corbyn since the no confidence vote was held in which just 40 MPs voted in his favour.
