BRITAIN'S best-loved woman politician has backed trade union campaigner Jennifer Smith to become Leigh's next MP.

Former Northern Ireland minister Mo Mowlam is backing the 34-year-old to succeed retiring MP Lawrence Cunliffe.

The union worker, currently national director of the Take Back The Track campaign to restore Railtrack to the public sector, is one of several candidates vying to become Labour's prospective parliamentary candidate for Leigh next month.

Miss Mowlam, minister for Cabinet Office, said: "Jennifer is a strong and dynamic woman who I know will serve Leigh with integrity and commitment and help raise the profile of the constituency in all parts of the political process."

Pensioners' leader Jack Jones and Bill Morris, general secretary of the Transport and General Workers' Union, have also declared their support for Ms Smith.

She said: "I am delighted to have the support of Mo Mowlam, someone who is revered throughout the Labour party and by people in all walks of life.

"Leigh ought to be at the centre of regional and national politics, with an MP giving it the profile its Labour majority deserves. If selected by Labour members locally, and elected at the general election, I pledge to be that MP."