Leanne Wood leads nominations in Plaid leadership race

(Clockwise, from top left:) Elin Jones, Lord Elis-Thomas, Leanne Wood and Simon Thomas hope to become Plaid Cymru leader

Leanne Wood has secured the most nominations in the contest to lead Plaid Cymru.

She had 14 nominations from branches and constituency parties.

Her nearest rival was Elin Jones with five. Lord Elis-Thomas had four and Simon Thomas two.

Party members will elect the next leader through the alternative vote system, with candidates ranked in order of preference.

The result will be announced on 15 March.

The winner will take up the reins from Ieuan Wyn Jones, who is stepping down after more than 10 years at the helm.

The four candidates will have a chance to appeal to rank and file members in a series of hustings around Wales and TV debates.

Of the Plaid AMs and MPs who have declared their support for a candidate, three are backing South Wales Central AM Ms Wood and three are backing Ceredigion AM Ms Jones.