Jeremy Corbyn has received the support from the Southport Labour Party in the forthcoming leadership election.

At the local party's AGM this week an emergency motion backing Mr Corbyn and criticising the behaviour of rebel MPs who have sought to undermine him was passed by overwhelming majority.

In a week in which Southport membership climbed to more than 700 members, the local party also warned rebel MPs and the party's National Executive Committee that any attempt to keep Mr Corbyn off the ballot paper in a leadership election would be “undemocratic and illegitimate."

The new Vice Chair (Membership) of the local party Lol Duffy said: “Jeremy Corbyn is the democratically elected Leader of our party who secured a resounding mandate less than 10 months ago under an electoral procedure fully supported by Labour MPs.

“The actions of certain members of the Parliamentary Labour Party is an insult to members of our party and is demonstrative of MPs who are out of touch, not only with its grassroots but also to those in society who most need a party who will listen to them and then act on their behalf."

The meeting took place at the Birkdale Labour Club and elections took place for key positions within the local party.

Ainsdale's Mhairi Doyle was elected chair, Steve Jowett and Linda Heap became Joint Secretaries, Chris Goley was named treasurer, Heather Westhead was voted Women's Officer and vice chairs are Lol Duffy and Andrew Taujanskas.

“Southport Labour Party membership is growing each day,” added Lol.

“There's a real chance now that when the next local elections come along we will be able to finally break the Lib Dem-Conservative death-grip on the town.”