The widow of late Prime Minister David Thompson has confirmed that she is ready to contest the St John by-election on a Democratic Labour Party (DLP) ticket.

Mara Thompson has formally written to the executive of the DLP expressing her interest.

"I am ready to represent the people of St John just as my late, beloved husband did. At this moment I will offer no further comment since there is a process to be followed," she told the Nation newspaper.

For several weeks since the death of her husband on October 23, speculation had been rife about a successor for the 48-year-old leader, who held the seat since the passing in 1987 of then prime minister and Father of Independence Errol Barrow.

The paper reported that some 12 prospective candidates have expressed interest in contesting the seat, but most, if not all, are expected to withdraw from the race now that Thompson has officially declared she is keen to represent the party in St John.

The opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP) has already nominated businessman Hudson Griffith to contest the seat, a traditional stronghold of the DLP, in the January 20 poll.