Against the majority of local members' wishes, a selection panel from the National Executive Committee insisted that positive discrimination was the way forward in the neighbouring constituencies.

Trouble flared soon after both Neil Turner and Ian McCartney announced that they would be leaving Parliament at the general election and all-female lists were proposed.

With both constituencies claiming they had decent potential candidates of both sexes and objecting against the discrimination in principle, they lodged an appeal.

But that bid has now been rejected and while many local politicians have avoided speaking out for diplomacy's sake, many are said to be privately seething.

One Wigan party member who declined to be named said: "This is scandalous, sexist and a big blow to democracy.

"We should be able to pick from all the available candidates purely on merit, not restrict ourselves because of their gender."

There was also puzzlement that the NEC had insisted on all-women lists in Wigan, Makerfield and several other constituencies, but had allowed open lists in Warrington South and Derby North.

A Makerfield Labour Party member said: "We can understand the need to increase the number of female MPs, but why have two all female lists in constituencies next door to each other while others are given a free hand?"

But a Labour Party spokesman would only say: "The NEC selections panel looked at each constituency on a case by case basis and it was decided that Makerfield and Wigan would select candidates from all women shortlists."

Neither Mr Turner nor Mr McCartney could be contacted while Wigan Council leader Lord Smith declined to comment saying that he was a member of Leigh Labour Party and that the all-women lists were an issue for Wigan and Makerfield.

More on this story in today's (Wednesday) Wigan Evening Post ... on sale now