The Islington North MP has shortened his odds to as little as 4/1 as he comes top of initial polls

Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn is 15 points ahead of his nearest rival Andy Burnham in the Labour leader contest, the latest private polls have revealed.

In polls seen by The New Statesman, the leftwing MP is “on course to come top” in the Labour leadership election after polls released by his rivals showed him ahead in the first round of voting.

Mr Corbyn, 66, has also secured 40 nominations from local parties, leaving him just eight behind favourite Andy Burnham.

Andy Burnham is said to be ahead in first preferences, but Mr Corbyn’s popularity among second preferences would allow him to claim victory under Labour’s preferential voting system.

Mr Corbyn has now shortened his odds to 4/1 to be elected as Labour leader, having previously been 100/1 on first entering the race as a last minute shock nomination.

Mr Burnham remains the 10/11 favourite with Yvette Cooper in second place at 11/4, followed by Mr Corbyn and Liz Kendall in last place at 12/2, according to betting giant Coral.