Labour campaigners fear hordes of MPs may annoy public as Makerfield votes

The number of volunteers who have signed up has been so vast that the Burnham campaign has organised three campaign centres beyond its HQ. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian

Up to 3,000 Labour campaigners are expected to descend on Makerfield for Andy Burnham, prompting fears among organisers that the hordes of activists may end up overwhelming voters during Thursday’s byelection.

Local hotels are fully booked and party members are expected to be dispatched to polling stations, and to leaflet people waiting at bus stops and school gates to avoid swamping residents on their doorsteps.