ONLY one person has told the Echo they want to be the next leader of Southampton City Council.

Unfortunately for deputy leader of the ruling Labour group,Warwick Payne, his application came too late to even be considered.

Members of the council were given a little more than 12 hours to put their names forward after Simon Letts lost his seat in Thursday's local elections.

Now, the Echo understands three names are in the hat to to become Simon's successor.

Cabinet member for sustainable living, Chris Hammond, is understood to be interested in the role, alongside health and community Cllr Dave Shields.

Finance cabinet member Mark Chaloner is also reportedly keen in the top job.

The winner of the leadership contest will be announced on Friday at the next council meeting.

Neither Councillor Hammond nor Shields would openly say they wanted the job, but that they were still considering their options even though they had put their names forward.

Due to the deadline at 5pm on May 4 – just 14 hours after Simon Letts lost his seat – all three members have applied for the job, but will now consider whether it is the right time in their career before potentially withdrawing applications or supporting others in the running.

Cllr Hammond said: “I am still considering my options.

"I haven’t made any decisions yet. People have suggested that I should go for it, but it’s a huge step and a choice that wouldn’t be right to rush into.”

Those thoughts were echoed by cabinet member for health and community safety, Dave Shields.

He told the Echo: “What I’m not concerned about is the future of the party, we won’t be short on the talent front, and whoever gets the role will do a fantastic job. It is not easy to step into the shoes of Simon Letts.

“I am open to all possibilities at this stage but my name is forward.”

One member of the council who won’t be the new leader, is joint deputy leader Cllr Warwick Payne.

He said that after consulting his family and making the decision to run, he had missed the entry deadline which was at 5pm on May 4 – just 14 hours after Simon Letts lost his seat

He said: “It is going to be a case of ‘What if?’ for me on this occasion. Having put my application in, I found it had been voided because of the deadline.

"I took the decision to consult my family first only to find I had missed the opportunity. I will support fully the person whose vision for the city closest matches mine.”

Two prominent councillors tipped as possible leaders – Satvir Kaur, who holds the environment leisure and communities portfolio, and Jacqui Rayment, joint deputy leader and environment and transport, both ruled themselves out of the race.