ST HELENS North Consistency Labour Party (CLP) has given its backing to Andy Burnham in the Labour leadership race.

Members voted in favour of the Shadow Health Secretary, who was the early front-runner in the battle for the leadership.

Burnham was educated at St Aelred's High, Newton-le-Willows and is the MP for Leigh.

The news follows the announcement by St Helens North MP Conor McGinn that he was endorsing Burnham for the leadership.

Last week the St Helens South and Whiston CLP backed Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper for the leadership.