THE FINAL list of candidates who will fight to become MPs in Bradford's five constituencies at the upcoming General Election was released tonight, with one of the district's seats attracting no fewer than eight hopefuls.

The heat will be on George Galloway as he looks to retain his seat in Bradford West against seven other candidates.

The Respect parliamentary candidate, who won the seat in a by-election in 2012, will battle Harry Boota (Ukip), George Grant (Con), Alun Griffiths (Lib Dem) and Celia Hickson (Green Party).

Therese Hirst (English Democrats - Putting England First) also announced she is standing, as her party's only candidate in the five constituencies.

James Kirkcaldy (Independent) and Naseem Shah (Lab) will also be battling for the seat.

This is the most number of candidates who have stepped forward for any of the five Bradford seats.

A hustings event involving some of the constituency's candidates, held in Bradford on Tuesday night, attracted more than 200 people.

The Bradford West race is also likely to be one of the most closely observed electoral battles nationally.

The final list of candidates for all of district's seats in the General Election on Thursday, May 7, was announced today.

The Green Party and Ukip believe Bradford could be a happy hunting ground and have fielded a candidate in each of the district's five constituencies.

In Bradford East, David Ward (Lib Dem), who was elected in 2010, will go up against Iftikhar Ahmed (Con), Owais Rajput (Ukip) and Dave Stevens (Green).

James Lewthwaite, who was previously the British National Party's group leader, will run for the British Democrats in Bradford East on May 7. He is the party's only contender in the district.

He also stood as a BNP candidate in Royds in 2007 and Wyke in the June 2004 Bradford Council elections.

Bradford Council deputy leader Imran Hussain will also run for the seat, on behalf of the Labour Party.

Meanwhile, a total of five candidates will strive for the Bradford South seat in a bid to replace Gerry Sutcliffe (Lab) who is stepping down after 21 years.

Judith Cummins (Lab), Tanya Graham (Con), Andy Robinson (Green), Ukip's Bradford chairman Jason Smith and Andrew Tear (Lib Dem) have all announced their nomination.

Shipley's seat will be contested by Philip Davies (Con), who was elected in 2005, and five other contenders.

They include Steve Clapcote (Lab) and Darren Hill, who will stand for Yorkshire First. He is the party's only candidate in Bradford.

Waqas Khan (Ukip), Andrew Martin (Lib Dem) and Kevin Warnes (Green) are also standing.

Keighley's seat sees Kris Hopkins (Con), who was elected in 2010, face a challenge from four other candidates.

Ros Brown (Green), Gareth Epps (Lib Dem), John Grogan (Lab) and Paul Latham (Ukip) will also be vying for votes.