Leftwinger Jeremy Corbyn winning Labour leadership contest among Black Country and Staffordshire councillors

Three of the four candidates vying to lead the opposition have published full lists of their supporters online.

And out of 230 Labour councillors across the country backing 66-year-old Mr Corbyn, six are from the Black Country, Staffordshire or Wyre Forest.

Shadow care minister Liz Kendall, now considered the outsider and the most 'Blairite' candidate, has support from four councillors in Wolverhampton, Walsall and Dudley according to a list of 150 councillors on her website.

And Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, is backed by three Sandwell and Walsall councillors out of 139 published, while Wolverhampton council leader Roger Lawrence revealed he was also backing her.

Shadow health secretary Andy Burnham, previously seen as the front runner before Mr Corbyn's surge in support, has not published a list but it is understood he claims the support of around 150 councillors across the country.

Miss Kendall's backers include the former mayor and mayoress of Wolverhampton, Milkinder and Jasbir Jaspal.

She also has the backing of Wolverhampton MPs Emma Reynolds and Pat McFadden as well as Mr Mc Fadden's constituency Labour party. Miss Reynolds' CLP, Wolverhampton North East, has backed Mr Burnham.

Backing Jeremy Corbyn are Councillor John Brooks, Lichfield, Councillor Claire Darke, Wolverhampton, Councillor Darren Foley, Cannock Chase, Councillor Nigel Knowles, Wyre Forest, Councillor Bob Piper, Sandwell and Councillor Stephen Simkins, Wolverhampton.

Backing Liz Kendall are Councillor Dave Branwood, Dudley, Councillor Doug James, Walsall and the Jaspals of Wolverhampton.

Backing Yvette Cooper are Councillor Claire Clews, Walsall, Councillor Preet Kaur Gill, Sandwell and

Councillor Paul Sandars, Sandwell.

There is still more than a month to go before Labour decides on its new leader.

Dudley Council leader Pete Lowe said: "I still have a fairly open mind as to who I want to choose.

"I've been excited by many of the things I've heard from both Jeremy Corbyn and Andy Burnham."

Asked if the long-running contest and the vocal opposition of some to certain candidates risked dividing Labour, he said: "There's always a risk with such a democratic and transparent contest.

"But that's one of the things that is so good about Labour. We are a party where people are able to debate the issues and have a full discussion and an exchange of views.

"I think that's healthy for democracy not just in the party but in the country."